As the question of compulsory wearing of car seat belts has been raised, can the Minister outline the position in regard to the introduction of legislation relating to the compulsory wearing of crash helmets for motor cyclists?

I did not refer to seat belts.

I know that but I am relating one to the other.

The question seems to deal with motor cycles.

Having regard to the Minister's recent statement on car safety belts, I wonder would he make a similar statement on crash helmets.

That seems to be a separate question, Deputy.

Some weeks ago I answered Deputy Timmons in relation to that matter. There were more fatalities among those wearing helmets than among those not wearing helmets. Perhaps they thought they were less likely to have an accident if they were wearing a helmet. It seems to be an extraordinary statistic.