Taoiseach signals support for review into Irish Lottery jackpot stalemate
Micheál Martin suggests finance committee and regulator could investigate reasons behind lack of jackpot win
Ireland’s most senior politician has indicated his support for a review over concerns the National Lottery jackpot has not been won for months.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was responding to questions from Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan who has been vocal on the fact the €19m (£16m) jackpot had not been won for six months.
The €19m prize total was capped in September, with no more money to be added to the jackpot until the sum is won.
Durkan has since written to Michael McGrath, the minister for public expenditure, expressing his concern over the matter.
The TD for Kildare North had previously compared the chance of winning the jackpot being so remote that “punters must be thinking Shergar would have a better chance at winning Squid Game”.
Speaking in the Dail, Durkan asked: “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?”
In response, the Taoiseach signalled his support for the issue to be taken up by a committee, with an invitation extended to the Lottery regulator – the RNL.
Martin said: “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. I think you should invite in the regulator, which governs the licensing of the lotto,” he added.
On Wednesday 24 November the lottery draw once again produced no winner of the €19m jackpot, although one customer did secure a €781,265 pay-out.
The Irish Lotto, that began with 36 balls in 1988, has seen the number of balls increase to 47 resulting in an individual’s chance of winning come in at 1:10,737,573.