asked the Minister for Finance whether, in light of the report of the all-party informal committee on the disbursement of the national lottery funds, he will propose to the Government changes in the manner of disbursement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

19.

asked the Minister for Finance if the Government have considered the report of the all-party committee on the national lottery presented to him recently; if it is intended to implement the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

112.

asked the Minister for Finance if it is intended to accept and implement the interim report of the all-party committee on the national lottery.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 19 and 112 together.

The report is currently being considered by the Government and I hope to be in a position to make a statement on the matter at an early date.

Would the Minister agree that it was deliberately decided by this House last term that the report would be prepared before the budget so that it would influence the budget debate? Is it not a pity that the Minister is not in a position, while the budget debate is in process, to indicate Government thinking as to whether the report is acceptable? Bearing in mind that a very senior member of the Minister's party, no less than the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, participated in this committee and agreed to its unanimous report, would the Minister agree that he should be in a position to indicate that the Government accept that the scandal of lottery fund abuse can be terminated in accordance with the proposals made by the all-party committee?

I received the report very close to the budget and I was extremely busy during those days in relation to it. There is a procedure to be gone through before submitting a report to Government for a final decision. That procedure is in place. As soon as the Government have an opportunity to consider it I will be making a statement on the matter. The budget debate is wide ranging and some of the funds collected in the budget are related to the lottery. This matter should not be precluded from the budget debate.

I should have called Deputy Sherlock earlier since he has a question tabled in respect of this specific matter. Apologies, Deputy.

As a member of that all-party committee, I am very disappointed that the Minister cannot indicate whether he is giving consideration to the recommendations of the committee, in view of the fact that they worked very hard to have the report submitted prior to the budget. From his initial perusal of the report, can the Minister give some indication that he is prepared to recognise the recommendations and implement them?

The Deputy will appreciate that I would not be so foolish as to anticipate and comment in advance on what the Government may decide.

(Limerick East): In view of the Minister's assurance that this is under active consideration and his subsequent assurance that procedures have to be followed, would he confirm that the decision of the Taoiseach to transfer responsibility for certain disbursements of money from his Department to the Arts Council in advance of consideration by the Government is in breach of these procedures?

That is a matter for the Taoiseach to comment on. It is not a matter for me.

(Limerick East): Is the Taoiseach's decision to transfer some of his functions to the Arts Council a unilateral decision or does it arise from this report?

We are dealing now with matters appertaining to the Minister for Finance, not the Taoiseach.

(Limerick East): He is responsible for the lottery.

The Deputy is referring to the Taoiseach's responsibility.

(Limerick East): You are too easy on the Minister. We have to be allowed ask him a question now and again. I know he is short on answers.

The Deputy may not impute partiality to the Chair.

(Limerick East): The Minister has ultimate responsibility for the disbursement of lottery funds. The figures are entered in his Estimate. Some of the money goes from his Department to the Taoiseach's Department. The Taoiseach has transferred his share to the Arts Council, as the committee recommended. Why have the other Ministers not done the same?

The report has gone to all Ministers in all relevant Departments. The Government will consider it in due course and I will make a statement on behalf of the Government when the decision has been finalised.

Can the Minister give any indication as to how much will be available for disbursement in 1989 from the lottery funds generally.

The Deputy must not hold me to tight figures, but I would say very little at this stage. The estimates for the lottery must take into consideration commitments given last year on a twoyear and three-year basis. Those estimates will almost take up the projected revenue receipts which will be available for allocation from the lottery. In other words, the amount of resources available to me in relation to allocating any more from the national lottery in 1989 are so minimal they are not worth talking about.

The gravy train has come to a halt.

I am referring to unexpended moneys in the areas to which it had been allocated in 1988 and which had to be accounted for in the budget.

One great year.

The amount I have to worry about this year is so minimal that nobody on the Opposition benches should be kicking up a row about it.

It is no wonder the Minister agreed to an all-party committee on the subject.

Deputy Shatter is so well paid for talking elsewhere I am surprised he does not talk here for nothing.