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Dáil Éireann - Volume 30 - 12 June, 1929 Public Business. - Betting Bill, 1929—Second and Final Stages. Order for Second Reading read. Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe: This Bill is merely to continue the Betting Act in operation until 31st December next. The Act which is being continued does not deal with the betting tax. This Bill deals with the regulation of bookmakers and the premises in which bookmaking may be carried on. The Report of the Betting Committee was only published about a fortnight ago. It is a fairly comprehensive document which will take some little time to examine, and it would be quite impossible to have a Bill drafted, let alone passed, before the 30th June when the present legislation expires. A new Bill dealing with the regulation of betting will be ready for presentation to the Dáil after the Summer Recess. Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee: Do I understand the Government intend to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Joint Committee on the Betting Act? Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe: I could not say that it will give effect to all the recommendations of the Committee, but we are examining them. There may be certain points on which we could not agree with the Committee, but we are examining the Report, and undoubtedly the general trend of the Report will be followed. Mr. Briscoe Mr. Briscoe Mr. Briscoe: Will the Minister say what relation do the fines imposed in the District Courts bear to the Betting Act? Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe: No relation. Mr. Briscoe Mr. Briscoe 1174 Mr. Briscoe: I ask that question for this reason: My attention has been drawn to several cases of bookmakers [1174] being confined in Mountjoy for the non-payment of very heavy penalties in respect of rather flimsy offences—nothing in the nature of fraud, but more in the nature of delay in the payment of betting duty. I could not find how these penalties came into being in relation to the Act. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: Are these revenue penalties? Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe: They are. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: That is a different question. Mr. Briscoe Mr. Briscoe Mr. Briscoe: They arise out of the tax. An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: But not out of the Betting Bill. They are revenue penalties? Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe: Yes. Mr. Briscoe Mr. Briscoe Mr. Briscoe: Could I raise this matter on the Finance Bill? An Ceann Comhairle Michael Hayes An Ceann Comhairle: Yes. Mr. Shaw Mr. Shaw Mr. Shaw: I hope the Minister will give very serious consideration to the recommendations of the Committee, because the Committee consisted of members of the Seanad and the Dáil; it represented every political and other interest and consisted of persons who were thoroughly conversant with the subject. They spent a very considerable amount of time and heard a great deal of evidence. They made a unanimous report, and I hope the Bill that will be introduced will contain a very large proportion of the recommendations of the Committee. Question—“That the Bill be now read a Second Time”—put and agreed to. Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe Mr. Blythe: The existing legislation expires on the 30th. If Deputies have no objection. I would like the remaining stages of this Bill to be taken to-day. Ordered accordingly. Bill passed through Committee and reported without amendment. 1175 Question—“That the Bill be received [1175] for final consideration”— put and agreed to. Question—“That the Bill do now pass”—put and agreed to. Message to be sent to the Seanad accordingly. Dáil Éireann 30 Public Business. Betting Bill, 1929—Second and Final Stages. General Debate 19290612
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