230 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the action he has taken to ensure that taxation from gambling, in particular the potential taxation from online gambling, is captured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42474/10]

As the Deputy is aware, the objective of the review of gambling being undertaken by me is to provide Government with options for a new and comprehensive legal and organisational framework governing the gambling architecture in the State. As I have said before, we must first achieve a policy in relation to a new gambling architecture that is capable of winning broad spectrum agreement. It is when this goal is achieved that we will be in a position to address the matter of legislative change, with some degree of confidence.

I am now considering a report from my officials on a proposed policy for the better regulation of gambling. Following consideration of the report by me I will make the necessary arrangements to bring it before the Government. Pending a decision on the matter by the Government, I do not intend to make any further comment on the substance of the document under consideration.

On the specific matter of taxation, may I say that while taxation did not form part of the review, it is my personal view that gambling should be subject to taxation . The Deputy will be aware, however, that taxation — where it is applied and at what rate — is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance who will, I am sure, pursue that issue as part of any new regulatory framework adopted for gambling in general and on-line gambling in particular.