1385. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the status of the recently published gambling legislation; when the gambling regulator will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42409/22]

Minister of State at the Department of Justice: The Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps.

The General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill has been published and the Government has approved the Bill for priority drafting, which is under way. There is a pathway mapped for this legislation progressing which, with the cooperation of the Houses of the Oireachtas, will facilitate the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland being established and operational in 2023.

Last October, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanctioned the recruitment of the CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. I am pleased to say that process has now completed and as of today, 8 September 2022, Ms. Anne Marie Caulfield, has been appointed to the role of CEO Designate and will assume her duties immediately.

A Programme Board has been established in my Department to ensure that the legislation and the operational preparations are progressed in parallel so that the Authority commences operations as soon as possible after enactment.