Dissent within party ranks over smoking ban

UP to 25 members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party are to will are to oppose Health Minister Micheál Martin’s blanket ban on smoking in pubs from next year.

In the latest revolt to hit the main coalition party, South Tipperary TD and former junior minister Noel Davern is to table a motion to have the proposed legislation watered down.

Deputy Davern, who has been a smoker for years, said as many as two dozen members of the parliamentary party support his motion.