Deputy Johnny Mythen: I move amendment No. 14:

In page 21, line 31, after “matter” to insert the following:

, including at least a bi-annual meeting with the Gambling Regulatory Authority, and will produce an annual report on online gambling to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on a yearly basis”.

Gambling addiction is destroying so many families across the country, so we need to use the full force of every arm of the State to tackle it. It is vital that the relationship between the two regulators is put on a statutory footing. A report can ensure that the Oireachtas is fully informed on this important issue and can use the real data to inform future policies and legislation and expose the extent of the problem with empirical data. I appreciate the Minister's response at previous debates where she said that this is not the remit of the commission but I do not agree. Online gambling and advertising on social media of online gambling is within the remit of the commission. This is a core remit of the gambling authority.

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