Senator Joe O'Reilly: ...If I may raise another matter, the Leader will be aware that I have consistently raised the issue of gambling. We have made considerable progress. I applaud the work of the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in that area over the previous months. The Minister of State has brought forward the legislation and arrangements for the regulator. I would like an update on progress. Belgium has recently banned all gambling advertising. That is worthy of looking at. We have also had the recent outrageous case of the major gambling company engaged in wrong practice in regard to addicts in the UK. That merits examination. One of the greatest ills in our society, and the young people here in the Gallery will appreciate and understand this, is the pernicious addiction to gambling. I am not speaking about normal social gambling, the occasional lottery ticket or the bet on Aintree. I am not talking about that kind of gambling but rather, addiction to gambling prejudicing children, homes, marriages, properties, the whole lot. It is a huge addiction and needs a two-pronged intervention. We need a strong gambling regulator and strong legislation. We also need, and I would like the Leader to look at this facet too, to resource the Department of Health in a way that it can support gambling addicts, which is a separate area for people who have already succumbed to addiction. I will leave it with the Leader and look forward to her response. It is one of the most urgent matters and serious human conditions that will be brought before her today.

Senator Shane Cassells: I welcome yesterday's decision by Andrew Rhodes, chief executive of the UK Gambling Commission. William Hill was hit with a record fine of £19.2 million or €22 million for breaches in the operation of its business, its failure to protect consumers and its weak anti-money laundering controls. That will soften William Hill's cough, for all of the big TV advertising in recent weeks that has tried to promote its products as consumer friendly. That goes to the heart of why the Bill that is before these Houses needs to be moved quickly. I welcome the statement made yesterday by the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, who has introduced the Bill. I wish to see it progress swiftly. It is only now on Second Stage in the Dáil. We need an office equivalent to the UK Gambling Commission in place to regulate what is an unregulated market in this country and which has the power to hit those who flagrantly breach the law with fines, which are the only things the industry will understand. 

Last week on RTÉ, I heard Johnny McGurk, all-Ireland medal winner with Derry, speak about how gambling totally destroyed his life. He said there were no protections in place for him or many others like him, such as Oisín McConville and many ordinary people. All we get from the gambling companies is a mere reference to gambling with care. Those companies did not have too much concern for the people affected. In the case of William Hill, one man was allowed to spend £23,000 in 20 minutes without any checks. Another spent £54,000 over four weeks. There are simply no checks and balances in place with respect to that industry. We need to ensure that when the Bill goes through these Houses, we have a similar office with corresponding powers that will be able to take these guys on. 

Senator Lisa Chambers: I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Joe O'Reilly spoke this morning about the issue of gambling, which Senator Cassells also spoke about. I am pleased to inform the House that the Bill has commenced in the Dáil and is due to come before the Seanad before the summer recess in July. I am not sure it will pass all Stages before the recess but we would love it to do so. The comments made by both Senators show there is a willingness and momentum to put an end to that scourge on Irish society. It is a message to the gambling companies that the good times are coming to an end. The regulator will be well resourced and equipped. It will have teeth to deal with the appalling practices that go on and advertising targeted not just at vulnerable people but at young children. As I said, those days are coming to an end and it is long overdue.