Mary Henry (Independent)

No matter what the vintners will say, human life will still continue in this country, on foot of this legislation. I am delighted to see it passed and that this is the first country to bring in such legislation. I am sure others will follow. One thing that concerns me, however, is the EUROSTAT figures on the intake of drink in this country, published this morning. They are serious. They included wine and this is worrying. If pubs are now more pleasant places to visit, our only worry is that people will spend more time there. That is a matter for another day.

I have a vested interest. My father died of lung cancer when he was 60. He was a fit man who was smoking in the days when nobody knew anything was the matter with it. He had stopped some five years before he died, perhaps because he did not think it was good for his health. We did not know then what we know now and I am delighted with this legislation. This has been a Bill in which the Minister has had more support, I believe, from this side of the House than his own side. I hope it will be a big success. Like others I believe it will be enforced by the general public.

The Minister said that 75% of patrons in hotels do not smoke. I am surprised that it is not as high as 90%, because the number of people who want to smoke in them appears to be small. The Minister had a tough time with the legislation. It would take a Cork person to stand up that that sort of carry-on. That is another vested interest coming out. I offer the Minister my congratulations.