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

I must address the suggestion that we will not protect people. We will protect people but not dictate to them, as Senator Cullinane wishes us to. This is a good Bill and I will not accept the amendments. I can think of a host of other areas with which I could draw analogies, such as banning people with disabilities or without the full use of their four limbs from riding horses because it would be more dangerous for them, yet we can all think of some very famous people who have done that and who get great enjoyment from it. Show jumping is possibly the most dangerous of sports, with the highest incidence of serious spinal injury.

We are a free nation and let us not go back over it again. I would greatly appreciate it if the amendment were not pushed but if the Senators want to press it that is fine. I will oppose it and I will say no more.