Fahey finally backs no-smoking ban

The Minister of State for Labour Affairs Frank Fahey has given his full support to the Government's smoking ban policy.

As the minister responsible for health and safety in the workplace, Fahey had been criticised in certain quarters for not making his support unequivocal over the last couple of days.

Fahey explained today that any confusion surrounding his support for the smoking ban to be introduced on January 01 2004 was in relation to a number of '"technical issues".

In particular, he said the issue of how the ban was enforced needed to be carefully addressed.

"As Minister with responsibility for health and safety in the workplace, I would again reiterate my full commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all employees," Fahey said in a statement released today.

"I support government policy and will implement proposals as handed down by the Government including in relation to the ban on smoking," he added.

Yesterday, Fianna Fáil Galway East TD Val Hanley resigned his Chairmanship of the Western Health Board, criticising the smoking ban as not being open to consultation or compromise.