The regulator of the Irish National Lottery may be asked to appear before the finance committee after concerns were raised about a six-month winnerless streak on the country’s lotto draw.
As reported by The Journal, the Taoiseach Michael Martin has suggested that the regulator could be brought before the Dail’s finance committee in the Oireachtas to explain why the jackpot has not been won for so long.
It follows criticism last week from TD Bernard Durkan, who called for an investigation and audit into the National Lottery following 46 rollovers since June.
“It’s been almost six months since it was won. This didn’t happen in Ronan Collins’ day. The jackpot has been stuck at €19m since September,” he told the Irish Times, adding that a “full investigation and audit into the draw” should take place.
Durkan has continued his criticism this week, asking the Taoiseach: “Might it not be appropriate to refer the matter to the Committee of Budgetary Oversight and the minister, and with the possibility of the regulator making an appearance in order to expedite the review already in hand in the minister’s department?”
As per Irish law, the total lottery jackpot cannot exceed €19m, however, the lottery has not been won in so long that the jackpot has been stuck at the upper limit since September.
Responding to Durkan, Martin hinted that an investigation could be undertaken, citing public interest as a possible reason for bringing the regulator before the finance committee.
He said, courtesy of The Journal: “I have noted, of late, Deputy Durkan’s tenacity and persistence on the issue of the lottery and the necessity for somebody to win the prize.
“I think it could be taken up by the Committee on Finance,” he said.
“I think you should invite in the regulator, which governs the licensing of the lotto. We all have high estimations of ourselves, but my capacity to produce a winner in the lottery, I would have to concede, I don’t think is within my grasp right now.”