Dáil Debates - By Topic

[Bills] Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

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[Bills] I observed yesterday that the betting industry has changed dramatically in recent years. When I first stepped into a betting office, the choices available were horse racing and dog racing. Now it is possible to place a bet on soccer, Gaelic games and golf, as well as virtual racing involvi...

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[Bills] As already stated, small and large farmers in my county are all involved in breeding, rearing or training horses. I am of the view that this industry and the greyhound industry are extremely viable.
I welcome the Bill, which represents a move in the right direction. There are some concer...

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[Bills] I call Deputy Heydon, who is sharing time with Deputies Áine Collins, Connaughton and Lawlor.[An Leas-Cheann Comhairle]

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[Bills] I welcome this much-anticipated Bill, which has taken a frustratingly long time to come before the House. The Minister's determination to have the legislation dealt with has ensured that it has finally been introduced, which is great. The Bill, which has been welcomed by the horse and grey...

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[Bills] I, too, welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill. In recent years the Irish people have borne more than their fair share of cost increases. No government wishes to impose tax burdens on its citizens but the vast majority of the population of this country recognise th...

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[Bills] This has been welcomed by many in the bookmaking world. Paddy Power makes a very fair point that the company welcomes paying any tax so long as its competitors pay the same tax at the same rate, an objective of this Bill. Boylesports has welcomed that, under the legislation, bookmakers who...

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[Bills] This legislation represents the enactment of a provision of the Finance Bill 2011 to extend betting duty to remote betting and online betting. It establishes the necessary infrastructure or regime for collection of this tax. It will be an offence to take a bet from an Irish person by remot...

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[Bills] This Bill has been in the offing since the Finance Bill 2011 and it is a redrafting of the original 2012 Bill. I appreciate the work undertaken by the Minister in this regard.
I come from an area which has two of the biggest race tracks in the country. There are two training establishmen...

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[Bills] I have always looked on this as a transaction with a client or a customer, whether in a bookmaker's shop or online. I would much prefer to see an exchange tax but that is for another day.
I am very encouraged by racetracks which are actively pursuing customers, whether they allow them in ...

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[Bills] I read a report done by one of our betting companies on its contribution to the economy. Points made in the summary were that it contributed more than €70 million to the economy, it supported 900 jobs, it sponsored a number of sporting events and it paid commercial rates and water charges t...

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[Bills] There is a need to protect vulnerable people, such as those who are under age and those who have an addiction. There is something odd about asking an industry - the gambling industry or the drinks industry - to fund efforts to deal with the difficulties and problems that arise from the acti...

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[Bills] I would like to share time with Deputies Seán Kenny and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin.[Spring, Arthur]

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[Bills] Is that agreed? Agreed.[Lyons, John]

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[Bills] I would like to make some comments on the Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013 that are informed by a different school of thought. I would like my suggestions to be considered. I have listened to many of the contributions that have been made this morning. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan spoke about th...

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[Bills] In the betting world, the races mentioned by the Deputy are referred to as "virtual" races rather than "imaginary" races.[Lyons, John]

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[Bills] This Bill is designed to provide a regulatory system for remote bookmakers and betting exchanges that offer betting services in Ireland, regardless of location. It provides for the fair and equal treatment of all bookmakers and betting exchanges, including corporate bodies, that offer servi...

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[Bills] This is designed to offer a means of enforcing compliance with a licence requirement and includes an order that credit institutions do not transact business regarding certain accounts used in the conduct of bookmaking and remote bookmaking, a prohibition of advertising and sponsorship, and a...

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[Bills] I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this issue. I wish to address two main issues. Many Members have already discussed the dangers of online gambling and that the social interaction in the bookie's shop in the main street would be replaced by a more private engagement online which, as...

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[Bills] I am pleased to speak on the Bill. I have got a flavour of what previous speakers said. I start by saying I do not believe I ever placed a bet in my life in a bookie's shop or anywhere else.[Ó Cuív, Éamon]

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[Bills] That is why the Deputy has all the money.[Hayes, Tom]

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[Bills] I wish I had. I gave it all away.
I have never had any involvement with horse racing or horses in general. I do not believe I was ever on a horse's back. I believe I have been to the races twice in my life. I am not into horse racing.[Ó Cuív, Éamon]

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[Bills] The Deputy should go more often.[Hayes, Brian]

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[Bills] When talking about an industry it is easy to cast aspersions and refer to someone having a personal interest. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan made a very balanced and reasonable contribution when she spoke about the challenges of gambling addiction. I have met people addicted to everything from ...

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[Bills] The Act we are amending dates from 1931. When one thinks of the technology we have today compared with that available in 1931 it is time to address this issue. It is time to bring the online betting into the mainframe. We will not stop gambling and we will not stop people in the modern wo...

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[Bills] I understand the ratio is about 90:100 so one could pick the rate to get the extra-----

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[Bills] I am sorry to interrupt but, as it is 12 noon and we must move on to Leaders' Questions, I must ask the Deputy to move the adjournment of the debate.[Lyons, John]

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[Bills] I will do so, but I will not be resuming.[Ó Cuív, Éamon]

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[Bills] Debate adjourned.

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[Bills] Question again proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

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[Bills] I will give people a chance to enter the Chamber. The previous Bill was concluded quickly, so Members were probably taken unawares.[An Ceann Comhairle]

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[Bills] Deputy Ó Cuív was in possession and there are seven minutes left. I do not know whether he is going to resume.

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[Bills] It does not look like it.[Stanton, David]

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[Bills] If he is not, I will move on to the next group of speakers, who have five minutes each. I call on Deputy O'Donovan.[An Ceann Comhairle]

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[Bills] This is becoming a bit of a tradition for me when I stand up to speak. Not only was the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the position of speaking on legislation in the House in which the Opposition benches were empty, this must be the fifth or sixth time when ...

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[Bills] I thank the Government Whip for allowing me the time to speak on this important Bill. It is a very important Bill which will facilitate taxing of online betting for the traditional bookmakers who operate here and for the relatively new practice of betting exchange businesses like Betdaq and...

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[Bills] Good.[O'Dowd, Fergus]

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[Bills] Even in horse racing, there are opportunities to bet on the number of horses that will fall or the winning distances. All of these are available online and we would not associate them with our traditional bookmaker. It is very important that such revenue is not lost to the State, and that ...

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[Bills] Traditionally, and in recent years in particular, the 1% levy has been ring-fenced for the benefit of the horse racing industry. This approach should continue once the legislation to facilitate the taxation of online betting services is enacted and revenue accruing from the levy increases. ...

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[Bills] One of the few times I ventured into a bookmaker's shop was when my namesake, Anne Ferris, rode the winner of the Irish Grand National in 1984. While I cannot remember what I did with my winnings, I remember remarking at the time that there were not many women customers in the shop, despite...

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[Bills] I welcome this opportunity to speak to the Bill. The legislation is framed to ensure fair and equal treatment of all bookmakers and betting exchanges offering services in this State. It will bring into the licensing and taxation regime all remote bookmakers and betting exchanges. This new...

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[Bills] The horse racing and breeding sector contributes approximately €1 billion annually to the economy, employing in excess of 16,000 people and is responsible for exports worth €174 million. There is a network of 26 racecourses located in 19 different counties which are capable of hosting natio...

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[Bills] I welcome the Bill. I note that many greyhound tracks are under pressure financially and that this Bill will allow for the raising of additional revenue which, hopefully, will be channelled in that direction.
There is an overlap in respect of betting and gambling between the Departments o...

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[Bills] I welcome the Bill. In many of our small towns, and some of the bigger ones, bookmakers and hairdressers are the only surviving businesses. I welcome the proposed tax on online betting, whether that be with Betdaq, Betfair or Paddy Power. I always believed the Exchequer was losing an enor...

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[Bills] There are difficulties with online betting because one could go into an exchange or go online to play roulette, cards or whatever. It is a major issue and one that has not been tackled enough. We should remind ourselves that gambling is an issue people do not talk about. It is a cause for...

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[Bills] I thank all the Deputies for the welcome they have given to the Bill and for their considered contribution to the debate. While the Bill deals with the regulation of the remote gambling sector and provides the basis for the fair and equal tax treatment of all bookmakers, whether traditional...

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[Bills] Question put and agreed to.

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[Bills] I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."
The Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013 was published in July last and was subject to a three month standstill period under the EU technical standards directive. During this time, several communications seeking clarification around aspects of t...

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[Bills] A person resident outside the State makes an application to the Minister for Justice and Equality. The application for a certificate of personal fitness to hold a remote bookmaker's licence or remote betting intermediary's licence is made to the Minister. These sections also provide a time...

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[Bills] I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. The key element of this legislation is the provision to extend the applicability of the 1% betting duty applied in betting shops to telephone and Internet bets. This is very much an overdue piece of legislation as the Finance Act 2011....

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[Bills] In the context of future financial planning and the need for certainty, the Government must answer certain questions.
The Minister does not appear to intend to take up the suggestion contained in the Indecon report of 2012 whereby the tax on betting would be increased by effective 2%, poss...

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[Bills] This is currently carried out on an opt-in basis and we need to review it. I would like to see a limit on the number of deposits a person can make with a personal debit or credit card over a determined time period.
The Bill provides for a potentially significant expansion of betting shop ...

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[Bills] Deputy Pearse Doherty is sharing time with Deputy Seán Crowe.[Buttimer, Jerry]

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[Bills] Sa chéad dul síos, cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille. Bille teicniúil atá ann ó thaobh na hearnála seo, ach níl dabht ar bith le roinnt blianta anois go bhfuil sé thar am agus muid ag fanacht ar sa Teacht. Tá fhios againn gur tháinig sé aníos an chéad uair sa Bhille Airgeadais i 2011. Ó thaob...

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[Bills] People, in particular Irish people, have a very close affinity to horseracing, but it is a choice and something which is addictive. That addiction can lead to financial and social disaster for some. Not too long ago, betting duty was 10%. Today, many gamblers are paying no tax by gambling...

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[Bills] I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013. I suppose some people will say this is another advance for the nanny state, that it is taxing the working man, that there are few pleasures left in life, that it started off taxing the pint and now it will tax bets. ....

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[Bills] I remember during the 1970s and 1980s, many pubs had a gambling machine - a slot machine or poker machine - in the corner. Unfortunately, these machines are popping up once again in many public houses and places where people gather. I have been calling for a long time for legislation which...

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[Bills] The Deputy is showing that he is anti-craic.[McGrath, Finian]

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[Bills] The easy accessibility and normalisation of online and offline betting is a curse for many families and individuals. We all have experiences involving young people who have gone online and used credit cards. Women and men participate in this activity at all hours of the night. Huge bills ...

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[Bills] I would like to share time with Deputies Healy-Rae and Mathews.[McGrath, Finian]

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[Bills] Is that agreed? Agreed.[An Leas-Cheann Comhairle]

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[Bills] I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on the Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013. I welcome the debate on this important issue for society. My view on this legislation differs from that of many of my colleagues who have spoken during this debate. It is important to have a fair and balanc...

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[Bills] The Deputy has gone populist.[Noonan, Michael]

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[Bills] He took the same approach to the smoking ban.[Crowe, Seán]

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[Bills] That is the balanced view. We should never allow a vocal and negative minority, or a vested interest group, to stop this type of leisure activity. That is the bottom line. I will deal later with the addiction issue that has been mentioned by my colleague, Deputy Crowe. I agree with him o...

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[Bills] A total of 6,100 were employed in the breeding sector and 6,300 in the racing sector, with 2,650 others employed in the sector in 2008. Those are the figures and that is the economic reality of this debate. It was estimated that in 2010 the number of jobs in the sector had fallen by more t...

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[Bills] Currently, betting duty revenue with an additional subsidy goes to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. This fund distributes money to Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon to develop the horse and greyhound industries in Ireland. This includes funding racecourse development, distribution ...

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[Bills] I thank very sincerely Deputy Finian McGrath, Deputy Maureen Sullivan and the Technical Group for allowing me some of their speaking time.[Healy-Rae, Michael]

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[Bills] Hear, hear.[McGrath, Finian]

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[Bills] I am grateful for that. I am glad to support the Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013. I thank the Minister for Finance very sincerely for bringing it before the House. I mean that. Deputy Finian McGrath is 100% right, nobody wants a nanny state. I know the Minister does not. Nobody wants to ...

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[Bills] The Deputy should stick to Betting (Amendment) Bill.[An Leas-Cheann Comhairle]

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[Bills] I strayed on to addiction so I am going from one addiction to another. I think I can do that.
Broadly speaking, this Bill is welcome. I would have preferred if the modern world of betting had not come upon us in the way that it has over the past four years since the introduction of the i...

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[Bills] Again, when I go back to reminiscing about the old system of bookies and bookmakers, they were a great group of people. The bookies who went to race meetings were highly respectable, honourable people, whose handshake and word was their bond. Like Deputy Finian McGrath, I would not want to...

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[Bills] I say "Well done" to the Minister for introducing this Bill. As Deputy Finian McGrath pointed out, it is a pity he did not go the full distance and also bring in the gambling control Bill, which is the behavioural dimension to the regulation side of things. We have heard in the debate from...

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[Bills] Deputies Noel Harrington and James Bannon may share time. I call Deputy Harrington.[An Leas-Cheann Comhairle]

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[Bills] I welcome the Bill and welcome the opportunity to contribute to the discussion. My first point is that the betting and gaming industry is big business, and one that has changed fundamentally. To give an example, the small town in which I live in west Cork had no bookie's shop for some 80 y...

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[Bills] This is where the difficulty in the proposed legislation lies. It is right and correct to propose it but it will be very difficult to enforce it. I note that in much of the discussion around the legislation that enforcement will arise in court appearances and convictions in absentia but al...

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[Bills] I compliment the Minister for bringing this legislation before the House, which is designed to ensure fair and equal treatment of all bookmakers and the betting exchanges offering services in almost every large and small town in Ireland. This legislation will also include bookmakers operati...

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[Bills] This Bill will ensure that the taking of bets from Irish people by remote means will be an offence unless the betting agency has a remote bookmaker's licence or a remote betting intermediary's licence.
Many Irish bookmakers have set up overseas websites to allow Irish residents to gamble o...

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[Bills] I call Deputy Browne, who has just a short time before 7.30 p.m.[An Leas-Cheann Comhairle]

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[Bills] How long do I have?[Browne, John]

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[Bills] One and a half minutes.[An Leas-Cheann Comhairle]

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[Bills] It is probably long enough. I welcome the Bill before the House. Obviously, Fianna Fáil supports the extension of the betting duty to online bets. Coming from a county like Wexford, one must speak about the horse and greyhound industries. We have some great names involved in training, fo...

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