Health chaos – Martin must do all he can to cure ills

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin deserves the accolades that he has received for having the courage to implement the smoking ban. This has attracted enormous international attention, as other countries evaluate the implications of the ban here.

The minister was not just brave but also lucky. He has already had one high-profiled political scalp delivered to him on a figurative platter. John Deasy was fired this week as Fine Gael spokesman on justice for defying the smoking ban in the Dáil bar.

It will take some time for the real benefits of the ban to become apparent, but it should inevitably have a beneficial impact on the health of future generations of Irish people.