Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank all Senators on all sides of the House for their great support throughout this journey and for assisting me in facilitating passage of the Bill. As I said earlier, the cross-party support from the beginning was a powerful bulwark to me as Minister in meeting the various challenges that came my way. The cross-party support and that of Independents generally in both Houses was extremely welcome. I would also like to thank the Leader of the House and her office for their help and assistance, particularly as regards the early signature motion and for the smooth passage of the Bill through the House.

The Minister for Health and Children must be the main advocate for public health. If the incumbent of this office is not then we are in a bad way as a country and as a society. I would like to think the younger generation will look back in years to come and ask: "Did they actually smoke in the workplace? Did they actually smoke in pubs?" Then I will know that what we did today was a success and an achievement.