asked the Minister for Justice if it is his policy to grant a certificate of personal fitness for betting to a firm or a representative of a firm which has lost its gaming licence in the United Kingdom for illegally acquiring confidential police information and subsequently illegally using this information for the profits of the firm; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

(Limerick East): There is no record in my Department of any application for a certificate of personal fitness which would fit the description given in the Deputy's question and accordingly the question of a policy in that regard has not arisen.

The Minister is saying that Ladbroke's, the people in question, have not applied for a certificate of fitness. Having lost their licences for gaming in Britain following police investigation, would the Minister consider them suitable for a certificate of fitness? Is he aware of the allegations made against them in Britain when they lost their gaming licences?

It seems to be a hypothetical question.

(Limerick East): A detailed check of our records has shown that no application for a certificate of personal fitness to obtain a bookmaker's licence has ever been received from Ladbroke's.

Is it the Minister's policy to grant a certificate of personal fitness for betting to a firm or its representative when that firm has lost its gaming licences in the United Kingdom for illegally acquiring confidential police information etc? What is the Minister's policy in regard to a firm of that nature if they apply for a gaming licence?

(Limerick East): If a representative of the company inquired he would be informed that the policy in relation to the issue of certificates of personal fitness was to grant such certificates to suitable applicants from Northern Ireland. This policy was part of a reciprocal arrangement drawn up between the Dublin and Belfast Governments in the late sixties. He would also be informed that the grant or refusal of a certificate of personal fitness to a person normally resident outside this State would be at the direction of the Minister for Justice in accordance with section 5 of the 1931 Act. I cannot state policy on a hypothetical basis. There has been no application from any representative of Ladbroke's for a certificate of personal fitness.

Would information about illegal activities outside this State be grounds for refusing a certificate of personal fitness to somebody coming here?

(Limerick East): It would be reasonable to say that such activities would weigh very heavily with me as Minister for Justice. I am sure this would be the case with any other Minister for Justice.