Cullen denies undermining Martin on smoke ban
Denying that his comments were designed to force Mr Martin into a Noel Dempsey-style climbdown, the Environment Minister said: "Absolutely not, I don't think in any way it will. If anything, this may enhance the whole thing and make sure this will carry through now into a final position (i.e. a ban).''
Mr Cullen also denied that, by publicly voicing opposition to the smoking ban, he had breached cabinet confidentiality on the issue.
The Government has been urged to make clear its position on the controversial pub smoking ban after Mr Cullen said the plan to stop people lighting up in bars from January 2004 was unworkable.
He said: "What happens on December 31 at midnight? Do we all put our cigarettes out?
"I have a healthy traditional dislike of over-regulation and being told what to do all the time, particularly now when it becomes part of invading into your social life."
Mr Cullen, a heavy smoker, said he would prefer to see special smoking rooms, proper ventilation and a gradual phasing in of the ban. He said: "I think to blankly do it on the first of January is posing difficulties. Anybody would be a fool not to recognise that."
Mr Cullen's outburst came just a day after Fianna Fáil TD Noel Davern revealed he will table a motion against the ban.
Former junior agriculture minister Noel Davern has claimed up to 50 members of Fianna Fáil oppose an all-out ban, and said he table a motion against it when the Dáil returns from recess in October.
Despite mounting opposition to the ban in his party with public 14 TDS, including Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh, having openly condemned Mr Martin's proposals Mr Cullen said the majority of ministers were still in favour of it.
This view was echoed by a spokesperson for the Department of Health, who insisted the ban will come into force on January 1.
Labour Party deputy leader and health spokesperson Liz McManus called on Mr Martin to introduce the ban despite opposition.
"This is one occasion on which the Taoiseach should assert his authority as leader of the Government - if he has any left - and state quite clearly whether or not the proposed ban has his full support and if it will proceed on January 1," she said.
Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell said some Government ministers were acting as if they were members of the opposition.
"The Government has taken a collective decision and despite this you have ministers saying 'Oh maybe well we shouldn't do that'. The place for them to do this is at the cabinet," he said.
The Green Party criticised members of Government for not being united in their support for the ban.
Green TD Paul Gogarty said: "The real question now is whether or not the smoking ban will be implemented on January 1 next and if so what assistance will be given to publicans to police it?"
