Bingo, casinos and Malta
The Leader responded to bingo concerns, saying community bingo would not be affected and that the commercial issue was different. He also addressed McDowell’s casino point, supported discussion on Malta’s rule-of-law crisis, and said he would bring the training fund issue to the Minister.
I thank the many Members of the House for their contributions to the Order of Business.
Senators Ardagh and Feighan referred to the bingo issue and the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill on which an amendment was passed in the other House last night. There seems to be some misinformation on what is being proposed and it has been changed now. The bingo being run by community associations and sports clubs was never going to be affected.
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Mine is not community; it is commercial.
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-----a different matter. The issue around the social aspect where people can go, meet and play bingo is one we all support and the importance of which we understand. Bingo has helped to support many charitable organisations.
I join with Senator Ardagh in welcoming to the House the students from Scoil Eoin. The issue of citizenship raised by the Senator may, as a Commencement matter, receive a better answer than this one.
Senator McDowell raised again this week a very important point regarding the gambling casinos, on which I support him. They are becoming part of the fabric, not just of Dublin but also of Cork, Galway and other places. As I said here earlier in the week, there are some outlets that can only apply for three-month licences. This is an issue that needs to be addressed and I will be happy to support him in that.
I will be happy to talk to him about the Civil Law (Costs in Probate Matters) Bill 2017 and see if we can facilitate time during the next week or the week after-----
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This will only take five minutes.
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----- and to work with him on that matter.
Senator Richmond raised the very important matter of Malta and the death of a journalist. As the Senator rightly said, Malta is a member state and an EU partner state that we are calling to account here. It is important that we have that matter addressed.
Senator Lawlor referred to the education and training fund and I will be happy to bring the Minister to the House on that matter.
Both Senators Gallagher and Murnane O'Connor never cease to amaze me in the way in which they come to the House with their contributions. The Minister appointed a beef task force with an independent chairman. The Minister was never going to attend last Tuesday.