Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 6

Written Answers. - Non-Smoking Regulations.

Mary O'Rourke

Ceist:

44 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is widespread disregard for nonsmoking regulations in specified public places, which were announced some months ago; the action, if any, he and his Department have taken to ensure implementation of these regulations; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that there is particular abuse prevailing in bingo halls in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19660/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. O'Shea)

The enforcement of the anti-smoking regulations rests with the environmental health officers and unfortunately is being affected by an industrial dispute. The fact that this dispute is affecting enforcement does not alter the legal and moral obligation on proprietors to ensure compliance with the law on their premises. I am aware that certain proprietors are taking advantage of the dispute to ignore their responsibilities in this regard, and this attitude shows a disgraceful contempt for the law and for the health and welfare of their customers. I can assure the Deputy that the law will be fully enforced once the industrial dispute is resolved; in the meantime I would urge those whose legal right to a smoke-free environment is being denied to make their dissatisfaction clear to the proprietors concerned.