Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2004
213 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Transport if assistance is being given to Dublin Bus to deal with the difficult problems it is encountering with regard to smoking on buses; if he will seek a report on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6329/04]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that this is an operational matter for the company concerned. However, Dublin Bus has informed me that Dublin Bus Byelaws 1996 and the Tobacco (Health, Promotion & Protection) Regulations 1995 prohibit smoking on buses. In an effort to address the issue of smoking generally on buses, Dublin Bus has introduced the use of plain clothes inspectors who exclusively target incidents of smoking, thereby securing the evidence required for a successful prosecution. This has resulted in a number of persons having been brought before the courts. The detection programme is ongoing and offenders will be prosecuted.
