Ireland was described in an article I read as the wild west of gambling due to the lack of regulation of the gambling sector here. The Gambling Control Bill passed pre-legislative scrutiny in 2013. The current Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy David Stanton, was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality when the pre-legislative scrutiny of that Bill was completed.

I understand some measures will be included in the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, including age restrictions. However, that is no substitute for the comprehensive reform and regulation measure which is now required. Bizarrely, I am also informed that the plans include increases to prizes and stakes for gambling machines.

In our offices we regularly hear the concerns expressed by parents who are encountering gambling problems, in particular online gambling. We need comprehensive legislation in this regard. When will the Gambling Control Bill, which has passed pre-legislative scrutiny, be brought before the Dáil?

I will ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to respond to Deputy Howlin.

As Deputy Howlin knows, the Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, has made this a priority area. Perhaps he would like to comment on the work he is doing.

Since the committee report was produced many changes in the technology around gambling have taken place. We commissioned a report on that, which has been published on the website and which I am sure Deputy Howlin has seen. That has led to changes being required to the Bill, on which we are working very hard.

In the meantime, we have identified a number of areas which will be included in the miscellaneous provisions Bill to which the Deputy referred. It will be brought before the committee shortly for pre-legislative scrutiny. We will be advised by the wisdom of the committee on that. It includes age limits and stakes, which the Deputy mentioned. I am looking forward to receiving the report of the committee on that Bill. I hope to publish it before the summer recess.

What about the main Bill?

I hope to publish the main Bill before the end of the year.