Publicans to run anti-ban candidates

PUBLICANS have threatened to hit the Government where it hurts by running anti-smoking ban candidates to challenge key seats in next year’s local elections.

The threat by the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland came as a second regional branch of the organisation voted to defy the workplace ban when it comes into effect on January 1.

Donegal vintners yesterday joined the VFI’s Kerry branch in formally opposing the move. Cork and Galway publicans have signalled they too may back the revolt.

Health Minister Micheál Martin, however, stood firm on his intentions, predicting a high level of compliance with the ban and declaring that there was no going back on his plans.

Mr Martin warned rebel publicans that their licences to trade came with responsibilities attached and said any compromise on the ban would be the equivalent of no ban. “The law is there for people to obey and once it is implemented, it will have to be obeyed,” he said.

Mr Martin was speaking as 18 trade unions, health charities and medical organisations, claiming to represent more than one million people, united in a public show of support for his policy.

More than 40 TDs from across the political divide turned up at the launch of the newly formed alliance involving groups such as SIPTU, Mandate, the Irish Nurses Organisation, Irish Cancer Society and Asthma Society.

However, scepticism remained within Fianna Fáil with Labour Affairs Minister Frank Fahey, who is responsible for workplace issues, persisting in raising doubts about how the ban would be implemented.

Mr Fahey returned home early from a holiday in Spain in the wake of questions over his level of support for the ban and insisted he was “at one” with Mr Martin on the importance of ridding the workplace of smoking.

However, he said he was concerned about a number of issues, among them the question of enforcement, and said he was awaiting a report from the Health and Safety Authority on the practicalities of ensuring compliance.

He said the authority had only a small number of health and safety officers and had to deal with 44 deaths in workplace accidents last year. “To bring in a ban and not be in a position to enforce it effectively will mean that it will not be successful. We need to have extra resources in order to implement this ban effectively,” he said.

Mr Martin said he expected views at variance with his own. “On an issue like this which does seriously involve major cultural change, I never expected unanimity,” he said.

He denied enforcement would be achieved through heavy-handed tactics, but promised to work with the pub industry in developing practical guidelines and procedures to make the ban workable.

The Vintners’ Federation’s national executive will discuss nominating electoral candidates meeting next week. President Joe Browne said the move was in response to “the growing level of repressive legislation evident in Ireland today”.

“This is an attempt to re-introduce pro-choice and pro-freedom to the Government, as normal democracy appears to have become redundant,” he said.