Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Oct 1959

Vol. 177 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956

15.

Dr. Browne

asked the Minister for justice if in view of the public disquiet which now appears to exist about the doubtful financial practices associated with pools alleged to be intended for charitable and other causes, he will take such steps as are necessary to see that financial statements are publicised at regular intervals relating to income and expenditure with details of fees and profits payable to the sponsors and directors, and the actual proportion of moneys in fact disbursed in the causes for which the pools are said to be organised.

16.

Mr. Russell

asked the Minister for Justice what steps he proposes to take to prevent current abuses of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956.

Mr. Traynor

With the permission of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.

Section 50 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956, provides that the Commissioner, Garda Síochána, may make regulations for the keeping of accounts and other records in relation to lotteries and the furnishing of returns and information to the Garda Síochána. It has been decided that such regulations should now be made. Work in the preparation of the regulations is well advanced and I expect that they can be brought into force fairly soon.

Dr. Browne

Will those accounts be made available to members of the public if they wish to see them?

Mr. Traynor

They will be made available to the House I can assure the Deputy.

Mr. Haughey

Is the Minister aware that some of these organisations do really excellent national work as a result of the funds which they get from these pools? Is the Minister further aware that if these organisations did not do this type of work, in many cases the demand would fall on the public funds?

Mr. Traynor

I am so aware.