Seanad debates
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill 2013: Committee Stage
12:55 pm
James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
Senator Gilroy has put his finger on it in terms of the problem that arises with some of the analogies put forward by Senator Cullinane. I hope the voters of Ireland are listening when the latter says, on behalf of Sinn Féin, that he would impose his will - it matters little that his will, in this case, is well intentioned - across the natural constitutional rights of the people of this country. The reality is that we can go so far in protecting people but, ultimately, they have a right to make their own choices. As long as I stand, I will, as a democrat, defend their right to so choose. I will advise people against the foolish use of that right, but I will continue to defend it.
On the basis of the logic he is using here, would Senator Cullinane ban the sale of cigarettes to people, for example, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
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