From Chris Donoghue.
IT’S common sense to wear a helmet when cycling. I do mostly, but not always, and on the odd occasion I don’t I really enjoy not wearing one.

I do ensure my children wear them. But above all I value being able to make that choice – it’s called ‘freedom’.

I was, of course, sorry to learn of the accident of Deputy Green’s son but this personal tragedy does not give him an automatic moral authority to impose his views on the public – there are risks in life and we cannot and should not legislate against them at every opportunity. Unfortunately accidents happen and sometimes we have to live with the consequences.

His argument that the state cannot walk away from the cost of supporting victims of brain injury is no justification for that same state to impose legislation at the expense of personal choice.

Surely if we were to take this argument to its logical conclusion the first step should be to make tobacco and alcohol totally illegal, as together they are far more of a danger to health and sometimes the safety of others, as well as a substantial cost to the state.

Society acknowledges that people will need help and support from time to time and consequently taxes and social security are collected to ensure support is available for those who find themselves in the unfortunate position to require assistance.

As an individual I can exercise common sense and judgment – I don’t need government to do that for me. Surely the purpose of government is to ensure the provision of fundamental services in a cost effective way, not to interfere in the day-to-day life of its citizens.

What kind of society does Deputy Green wish to create? One where the choice of the individual is measured by the monetary cost to the state?