Health department insists gardaí will play ‘minor’ role

THE Department of Health insisted last night the gardaí will play only a minor role enforcing the smoking ban.

The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has reacted angrily to suggestions gardaí will be used to help enforce the law that comes into force on Monday.

A spokesperson for Health Minister Micheál Martin said gardaí will only be called if bar customers become difficult and commit a public order offence.

“That’s the only instance when the gardaí would intervene. The same would happen with any other public order offence,” the spokesperson said.

The department believes this is unlikely to happen often and the ban will mainly be enforced by Environmental Health Officers.

The Health and Safety Authority will implement the ban in other workplaces including company cars.

The HSA can fine those breaching the law up to €1,900 while the Environmental Health Officers can fine offenders up to €3,000.

It has also been confirmed that publicans who fail to implement the smoking ban risk losing their licence.

The public can object to the renewal of a publican's licence if the ban is not enforced on the premises.

GRA chief PJ Stone said it made no sense to ask the gardaí to tackle customers who persist in lighting up in pubs.

“It's not a function for a police force at all. We haven't resources to deal with far more serious issues, not to mind dealing with obstreperous smokers,” he said.

Mr Stone went on to describe the new regulations as the “the most ill-conceived legislation ever conceived in this country”.

The GRA boss believes publicans should bar troublesome smokers rather than calling the gardaí.

“It seems now gardaí will have to police the public-order side of the smoking ban.

“It will alienate the police force,” he said.

“I think it's very unfair that members of the gardaí should have to police a smoking ban,” he said.

“We are almost like the sweeper-uppers of somebody else's problems. We will be the laughing stock of the world on this.”