Oppositie Ierland groeit
Twee junior ministers in het Ierse kabinet hebben zich uitgesproken tegen de plannen van gezondheidsminister Martin die per 1 januari 2004 een algeheel rookverbod voor de horeca wil invoeren.
Beide ministers zijn lid van Martin’s partij.
Reports this morning said Frank Fahey and Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher asked Mr Martin to introduce the ban gradually during yesterday’s Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting.
South Tipperary TD Noel Davern and Senator Eddie Bohan also reportedly tabled a motion seeking a compromise on the smoking ban.
The motion, which was not voted on, called for pubs to be allowed to have designated smoking areas with extractors that change the air every two minutes.
The compromise would then be reviewed in two or three years to see if it had been effective.
Mr Davern reportedly believed the motion would have been passed if put to a vote.