Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

We will not be too hard on the Minister of State whose contribution I welcome. I also welcomed the announcement of a ban on smoking in all workplaces from 1 January next. The majority do not recognise the health problems smoking has caused here and elsewhere during the years. Passive smoking must be attacked at all times. It is welcome that people will not be permitted to smoke in pubs, restaurants and workplaces in the future.

When I had a pub, I worked behind the counter and very much enjoyed working there. It was an old-fashioned pub, a little like Doheny and Nesbitt's, only on a smaller scale.