Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has indicated that he will protect the 6 per cent margin earned by retailers from selling National Lottery products. This is in light of legislation paving the way for a 20-year lottery licence to be offered to private operators.

Addressing the Seanad on Wednesday, Mr Howlin said he had met h representatives of RGDATA, the National Federation of Retail Newsagents and the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association and understood “fully their concerns”.

“I intend to safeguard their margins in the legislation. I have not told them that yet because we have not yet put the shape of the legislation together.”

Vincent Jennings, chief executive of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association, said yesterday that he was “pleased” at the “clear commitment” given in Mr Howlin’s speech. “Retailers could not have afforded any reduction in margin,” he said.

The issue of margins arose after the Government announced plans in April to seek bids for a long-term licence to run the lottery, which helps to fund good causes. Retailers had expressed concern that their margin on lottery sales would be reduced.