Government faces revolt by publicans

BY lighting the fuse of a concerted campaign against the Government’s anti-smoking ban, publicans in Kerry could well spark a nationwide chain reaction when the contentious law on smoking in the workplace comes into effect next January.

While nobody is saying so, other counties look set to follow the Kingdom’s example by staging similar protests. It will be impossible to prosecute them all.

And with Fianna Fáil ministers and backbenchers now lobbying against the move, Health Minister Micheál Martin is coming under intense pressure to compromise. Doubtless, he will take solace from the latest evidence that smoking costs the Irish economy up to 5m a day.

Mr Martin has displayed admirable courage in sticking to his guns in the interests of public health. But it will be fascinating to see if the Taoiseach, a politician noted for shifting his ground when the going gets tough, will have the political gumption to stand by his minister when the New Year ban comes in.