Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 1

Written Answers. - Cigarette Smoking Policy.

Liz McManus

Question:

148 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the haphazard and inconsistent cigarette smoking policy that exists on Iarnród Éireann services at present, including the fact that some trains, including the DART and the Enterprise to Belfast, are non-smoking, while services to Sligo, the west and south east operate a one, two or three carriage non-smoking area and if it is his intention to recommend that Iarnród Éireann introduce a blanket ban on smoking, similar to that which prevails on Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus services. [10094/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Under the Tobacco (Health Promotion and Protection) Regulations, 1995, smoking is prohibited on the DART service and on all Arrow trains operated by Iarnród Éireann. On all other train services operated solely by Iarnród Éireann, smoking is prohibited in at least two-thirds of the seating area. The Enterprise train service between Dublin and Belfast, which is operated jointly by Iarnród Éireann and Northern Ireland Railways, is non-smoking.

I have noted the Deputy's proposal in this regard and I will consider it in the context of the new public health and tobacco Bill which is currently being drafted. I wish to point out that the forthcoming tobacco Bill will strengthen Ministerial powers to regulate smoking in public places and I will discuss the matter further with Iarnród Éireann.