In Ireland, the government has revealed that it has no immediate plans to tax bookmakers operating online or over the telephone because it needs more time to examine the industry. In his most recent budget speech last month, Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan stated that he intends to double the tax on land-based licensed bookmakers to 2 % on turnover from the first of the year. However, online and telephone services, which now accounts for the bulk of the industry in Ireland, will remain tax-free.