James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These proposals are prejudicial to the rights of groups of adults with a particular skin type. That is completely different from banning commercial activity which can cause harm. Having said that, I do not necessarily disagree with Senator Crown in respect of his stated objective. In fact, our aim is to achieve a situation by 2025 where the prevalence of smoking in this country is under 5%. I notice the young people in the Gallery today. Our concern is to protect them from the harmful effects of sunbeds and from getting addicted to cigarettes before they are 18 years of age. When they are old enough, however, they can make those choices for themselves. Until then we must protect them, which is what this Bill is about. These amendments, on the other hand, are about telling adults they cannot engage in a particular practice. The reality, however, is that they have a right under our Constitution to do so. To confuse this issue with drink driving, having bald tyres or any issue that affects other people is not an argument that stands up.