Two FF junior ministers seek smoking ban compromise

Two junior ministers have reportedly joined growing opposition within Fianna Fáil to Health Minister Micheál Martin’s plans to introduce an all-out ban on smoking in workplaces from next January.

Reports this morning said Frank Fahey and Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher asked Mr Martin to introduce the ban gradually during yesterday’s Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting.

South Tipperary TD Noel Davern and Senator Eddie Bohan also reportedly tabled a motion seeking a compromise on the smoking ban.

The motion, which was not voted on, called for pubs to be allowed to have designated smoking areas with extractors that change the air every two minutes.

The compromise would then be reviewed in two or three years to see if it had been effective.

Mr Davern reportedly believed the motion would have been passed if put to a vote.

However, M Martin flatly rejected a compromise and vowed to press ahead with his all-out ban, saying it was necessary to protect the health of workers.