asked the Minister for Finance the number of licensed gambling halls there are in the country; and the tax revenue which accrues from the operation of slot machines in these premises.

It is assumed that what the Deputy has in mind is the number of premises licensed under the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956, and the excise duty receipts from gaming machine licences.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that in 1987, the last complete year for which statistics of licences have been compiled, there were approximately 375 premises in respect of which gaming licences had been issued. The figure is approximate because actual statistics of premises are not maintained and gaming licences may be issued for three month, six month and nine month periods as well as on an annual basis. The excise duty receipts in respect of gaming machine licences issued in 1987 were £1,176,987.