Gambling regulation and Mayo plant
The Leader replied to Senator Murnane O'Connor on gambling, saying legislation needs modernising and a working group is due to report soon, and he also invited the Business Minister to discuss the Mayo Asahi plant. The Chair and Senators exchanged brief race-related comments in between.
No. He will be here on 4 April.
Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of gambling. As she knows, we had a very good debate in the House on 27 February on that matter. I commend Senator Craughwell and his Independent colleagues on their Private Members' motion. Gambling legislation in this country needs to be modernised and better regulation needs to be put in place. The interdepartmental working group is due to report imminently on the matter. To be fair, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Stanton, is very much engaged on the matter. I hope that the working group's report will be published as soon as possible. As the Cathaoirleach pointed out earlier, today is the beginning of the Cheltenham festival. I am not sure who won the first race at 1.30 p.m.
Comment on this
I hope that people will gamble and bet sensibly this week. As the Senator said, problem gambling can have a very pernicious effect on families and I thank her for raising the issue.
Senator Mulherin raised the issue of the Asahi plant in County Mayo and the importance of same for job creation in the region. I am happy to invite the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation to the House to discuss the matter.