Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Such a debate would be worthwhile and that is what the Seanad should do.

I raise the issue of scare-mongering and the danger that we will have a nanny State. My attention was drawn to three reports in recent times. One concerns chickens and states they are dangerous to eat because of disease. However, it has always been such and the reports states that if they are cooked, everything will be okay. Another report states obesity is terrible and that one should not eat chocolate, but if one takes exercise, it is okay. A report from the European Union states one in ten items of children's clothing is very dangerous because it contains cords or drawstrings with which children may choke themselves, but it is okay if one is aware of this. Senator O'Toole has reminded us that some years ago when a dog savaged a young child, legislation was passed which stated all dogs should be muzzled. It was an immediate reaction. I have a concern that when we pass legislation, as we have done, and examine reports produced proposing legislation, we should take into account the fact that we are independent and rational people who can make decisions of their own. A good friend of mine loves to have an ice cream cone but is aware that if he has one, he has to walk 5 km if he wants to avoid becoming obese. It is a reminder that we need to maintain balance and make sure that when we make proposals, we take into account the fact that we have a rational, sensible population which can react to such matters in a moderate way.