Dáil bar cigarette threatens Deasy future

JOHN DEASY'S future as Fine Gael justice spokesman was in peril last night, after he admitted breaking the smoking ban in the Dáil bar on Tuesday.

Reliable sources in Fine Gael said his position as justice spokesman for the party looked untenable in the light of the incident. There was increasing speculation last night that Mr Deasy may be forced to resign his justice brief.

Health Minister Micheál Martin said last night that there was overwhelming all-party support for the smoking ban in the Dáil. He said that, as a member of the Dáil, John Deasy should be upholding the ban.