Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 15 November 2012

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

Prohibition of Smoking on Leinster House Campus: Motion

9:55 am

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

If the Chairman will forgive me while I had doodled with something earlier I am trying to get the wording more in line with the views expressed by many members earlier,

With the indulgence of the Chair, I offer the following wording as an amendment: "That the Joint Committee on Health and Children, affirming its strong support for efforts to reduce smoking, calls for a process of consultation with all who work in Leinster House aimed at creating a smoking-free campus, including the buildings and the environs of this institution."

I have no doubt as to the sincerity of all who have spoken on what I observe to be the shared view of all members of the committee, which is an aspiration to reach a situation in which we can indeed declare this to be a smoking-free parliament and environs. That would be a proud declaration. However, it would have much greater strength and import if it were achieved through the voluntary compliance and enthusiastic endorsement of all who attend here to carry out their day's labour. I believe that is a process we should address and pursue in the time ahead with all other relevant stakeholders on this campus.