Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To develop Deputy Kelleher's point in terms of the helmet in hurling - bearing in mind that ten years ago when I played junior hurling badly, the players never wore a helmet but today we would not allow anyone to go out on a field without a helmet - can that non-binding legislative approach, even though it is within the rules of the GAA, be applied across the sporting bodies? I am not referring only to the IRFU. Professor Molloy touched on the point that the IRFU should be commended on the way in which this year in particular it has involved the referees in this respect. I have met a few referees who have spoken about how they have been asked to become more aware of this.