Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I have sympathy with the Senators but to be fair, from day one we were clear that we did not envisage outdoor areas being covered by the smoking ban. With respect to the debate that has taken place over the past 12 months on an enclosed smoking ban and the virtues or otherwise of ventilation, it would have been difficult to put forward the argument that in the open air smoke is as bad for one as it is in an enclosed room. That is not in any way to detract from what both Senators have said. It can be a particularly difficult proposition for non-smokers to be watching a game with smoke wafting in front of them or to their side, but they are in the open air.

I am encouraged by the positive views from both Houses of the Oireachtas, which have been supportive and effective in terms of pushing through this measure and bringing about the societal change in behaviour. If we did not have cross-party support on this issue, the Minister of the day would be susceptible to people in one party trying to play off those in another and trying to undermine them whereas we have had a good fair wind, with people trying to test the legislation and so on.

As Senator Quinn said, we will evaluate this legislation. We can always review it and come back to the Houses to amend it or include other places in the future. We should look for consensus on this issue and there are good signs that consensus is developing. I welcome the statement from the licensed vintners last week that they will co-operate with the law. Many people want to do that now and the vast majority of the public are behind it. If we can build a consensus perhaps we can move on incrementally and, in time, the sporting organisations may also examine the issue.