Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree in principle with what Senator Crown has proposed but, like other speakers, I believe there must be consultation. It might not be a bad idea to set a target date - be it six months or 12 months - whatever happens in the long term, but every possible assistance must be given to those staff and Members who smoke to assist them in moving away from having to smoke every day. That would be a beneficial process in itself. It would not be a bad idea to set a target date for the matter to be dealt with, even if it is a case of postponing a decision rather than continuing to discuss it. I agree in principle with the proposal, but there must be consultation.