Government on collision course with publicans

THE Government is on a collision course with the country’s 7,000 publicans over its controversial smoking ban as figures show the majority of bar workers support a compromise deal.

In open defiance of Health Minister Michael Martin's health initiative, Independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae also attacked the ban claiming it is unworkable. Fianna Fáil Lord Mayor of Dublin Royston Brady has added his support for a compromise deal.

The study of bar staff found 70% of workers support the call for smoking areas in pubs and improved ventilation. The majority of those surveyed felt jobs would be lost if the ban was introduced in January.

Tadg O'Sullivan, head of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), which represents 6,000 publicans outside of Dublin, said opposition to the ban would spread throughout the country.

His warning comes as publicans in Kerry voted unanimously to defy the ban. Pub owners in Cork and Galway are also expected to ignore the Government's directive following a ballot of members in the coming days.

Mr O'Sullivan said the findings of the survey proved that a complete ban was unworkable. The ban was carried out among 400 workers by Lansdowne Market Research on behalf of the VHI.

"Democracy is about accommodating difference not about imposing majority views. What is happening now is an affront to democracy," Mr O'Sullivan said. "We must have compromise otherwise we will really have serious difficulties across the country."

Mr Healy-Rae said the ban was not enforceable. The Kerry politician and publican said he was prepared to break the law.

"No matter what Micheál Martin says he can't compel me to do something that I'm not able to do," he said.

Mr Brady also urged the Government to rethink the proposal. Mr Brady, a close colleague of the Taoiseach in north Dublin, believes the hospitality industry's compromise solution smoking areas and promises of proper ventilation is the way forward.

"They seem to be going ahead with these things without a strategy. I do not see it working." he said.

But Mr Martin said the Government is determined to introduce the full ban. "This is a killer, we've been told it's a killer and we've got to act to protect people. The law will be applied to all establishments and that's the bottom line," he said.

"Is the life, the health, of a bar worker of less value than a worker in an office or a factory? That's a question I cannot dodge."

MANDATE, the trade union that represents 5,000 bar workers, said the ban must be enforced everywhere to protect workers.

"It's absurd to think that a small group of publicans think they can get away with this. All workers have to be protected and the Government must ensure this happens," MANDATE national official John Douglas said.