This was by a Taoiseach who you would swear did not set out the terms of reference. You would swear he did not even write them. I have the transcript of the debate on 13 February 2019, in which Deputy Varadkar answered questions tabled by Deputies Mary Lou McDonald and Brendan Howlin. Most jarring of all is the then Taoiseach's response. He starts outlining constitutional problems with the group's report. Even though he has set out terms of reference to explore how we can legislatively change and reform the Chamber…

I welcome the Minister of State and his officials. Sinn Féin will support the Bill. However, in our view, the energy credits for which it makes provision do not go far enough. The fact remains that householders are still paying almost 60% more for their electricity and 90% more for their gas than they did in December 2020 prior to the eye-watering and intense increase in energy costs. We need to do much more for ordinary workers and families who are seriously struggling with the raging cost-of-living crisis. Unlike…

I move amendment No. 6: In page 8, between lines 38 and 39, to insert the following: “(3) Electricity suppliers shall remove any arrears limits placed on pre-pay meters until the Minister directs otherwise.”. This amendment speaks to increasing protections for prepay customers who might be faced with arrears limits, which, in many instances, result in situations in which lower income, vulnerable households cannot heat their homes. As we face into the colder months of the year, that is not acceptable. Prepay meter c…

I move amendment No. 7: In page 8, after line 41, to insert the following: “Review by electricity supplier 6. (1) Where an electricity supplier refuses to make an electricity costs emergency benefit payment then the final customer may request the electricity supplier, on or before 30 June 2025 to review its refusal. (2) The request under subsection (1) shall state the reasons why the person making the request wishes the refusal by the electricity supplier to be reviewed. (3) The electricity supplier shall within 28…

I will press the amendment.

I move amendment No. 10: In page 14, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “ Reporting 14. (1) The Minister shall, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the application of the No. III Scheme and the submeter support scheme to address high electricity costs. (2) The Minister shall, within 12 months of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the application of the No. III Scheme and the submeter support scheme compared to emergency m…

I withdraw the amendment. I appreciate the Minister’s commitment.

Regarding Government amendments Nos. 252 to 256, inclusive, which allow for philanthropic or charitable organisations to advertise on on-demand services, social media services and other media, it is fair to say this is the result of pressure that has been applied as the Bill has progressed through the Houses. Thankfully, these amendments have been made to avoid punishing sports clubs and charitable organisations. From the outset, we highlighted the fact this Bill would stop sports clubs and community organisations …

I welcome the Minister of State. What this Government has failed to acknowledge, much less address, is that forced emigration is back for the young people of Ireland. Many have already left, while many more are considering emigrating or planning to do so. In the past year, 10,600 people emigrated to Australia alone, an increase from 4,700 in the previous year. They are leaving, not because of some collective sense of adventure, but because they simply do not see a future for themselves here in Ireland. Frustrated a…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am glad amendment Nos. 39 and 40 are being considered together. Both aim to address issues raised by charitable organisations and sporting bodies. They are concerned about the impact the Bill will have on their fund-raising. Our amendments are comprehensive and give a role to the regulator in deciding what is a relevant body. They also close off a loophole by which a gambling company could team up with a charity to circumvent the Bill by requiring it to be for its sol…

I move amendment No. 40: In page 21, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: “ Non-application of Act 3. (1) This Act does not apply to gambling activities carried on, by or on behalf of any organisation: (a) that is a registered charitable organisation under the Charities Act 2009; (b) that has a charitable or philanthropic purpose, which shall be construed in accordance with section 87(4) , and is designated by the Authority in accordance with subsection (2) , provided such activities are for the sole b…

I move amendment No. 47: In page 25, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: “(4) In appointing the members of the Authority, the Minister shall have regard to the objective of there being no fewer than 1 member with lived personal experience of harmful gambling behaviours.) "(5) In appointing the members of the Authority, the Minister shall have regard to the importance of an independent Authority and attempt to ensure that no more than 2 members have recent (within the past 5 years) paid employment with …

I appreciate the Minister of State's response but Sinn Féin wants to see a member of the board of the new Gambling Authority who has personal experience as a gambler or of harmful gambling behaviours. That is important. We do not have confidence it will happen without the amendment, which is why we want to put it in.

I move amendment No. 56: In page 26, between lines 13 and 14, to insert the following: “(s) participating in the revision of the money laundering/terrorist financing risk assessment as it relates to gambling biennially in collaboration with the Anti-Money Laundering Steering Committee, liaising with An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners, and any other relevant bodies.”.

I move amendment No. 60: In page 28, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: “(4) The Office of Government Procurement and the Authority shall produce an annual report, to be laid before the Oireachtas, detailing any and all activities under this section.”

I move amendment No. 70: In page 38, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “34. The Authority shall be subject to section 6 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014.” This is a short amendment. We are not 100% sure that this does not automatically happen. It is to be absolutely certain that the authority would be subject to FOI in the interest of transparency. I would welcome the Minister of State’s view on that and whether it is a necessary amendment.

The others are from the Civil Engagement Group.

I did not quite catch what would not be included under FOI in the Minister of State's speech. I could not quite hear that section. I am not asking him to repeat himself. I can check the record.

Head 113 of the general scheme of the Bill provided that the authority shall make certain provisions by way of statutory instruments, but the Bill does not include the same level of detail in section 52. We are seeking to introduce that level of detail back into the Bill at this stage. It would bring the legislation in line with the commitment given that the social impact fund would reflect the fund currently operating in New Zealand. I welcome the Minister of State's response in this regard.

I move amendment No. 100: In page 48, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: "(4) The contributions to the Social Impact Fund under subsection (3) shall be calculated having regard to— (a) the size of licence holders’ operations, (b) the gambling services and activities being offered by licence holders, (c) the potential harm/risk associated with the gambling services and activities offered by licence holders, (d) the percentage of turnover spent by the licence holder on advertising and promotion, (e) li…