asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of a recent court decision which will restrict the holding of raffles for charitable purposes; and if he will take steps to amend the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956 to meet the situation.

I am aware of the court decision referred to by the Deputy. Many areas of the law, including the law relating to gaming and lotteries, will be receiving my attention. At this stage, however, I am not in a position to say whether I shall be putting forward proposals for the amendment of the 1956 Act.

Would the Minister accept that most of the major raffles run for charitable purposes are probably being run contrary to statute?

I accept it is very likely that a number of raffles being organised throughout the country are possibly illegal and I would certainly think there is need to do something about the legal position as quickly as possible.

In view of the fact that the Minister accepts there is need to do something about the legal position as quickly as possible, would he consider there might be some use in introducing a Miscellaneous Law Re-form Bill designed to bring up to date the various figures such as the £500 figure in the Act?

That is a separate question.

Would the Minister like to comment on it?

It is a separate question.

Is it not ridiculous that we accept that raffles are being run contrary to statute and also accept that something should be done about that? Has the Minister any plans to do something about it immediately? Are we not making the law a laughing stock in leaving the situation as it is?

I agree there is a very strong case for increasing the maximum value of the prizes.

Will the Minister do something about it quickly and not put it on the very, very long finger?

If I am accused of putting anything on the long finger, let me say these problems did not develop over the last five or six months. I am quite prepared to do something as quickly as I can and I can assure the Deputy that is not putting it on the long finger.