Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Having congratulated and thanked the Minister for his Cork tenacity and the determination he showed in the face of much opposition from many sources, one must reflect that it is great to be the first in Europe to initiate such a good measure. Sky News went to town on its reporting of the smoking ban with interviews for days before hand. It is great that we have taken a positive, pro-active health initiative such as this smoking ban. It is easy for me to talk because complying with it is not a burden for me or anyone else who never smoked.

I was out at lunch time and when I was returning through the back gate, there were several figures out puffing in the yard. As Senators know, the Superintendent is responsible for making sure we do not smoke within the precincts of the House. There were some jocose remarks in the House earlier. For example, I was asked who was in charge of keeping us good — it is the Superintendent, Mr. Paul Conway.

In a major interview in Monday's edition of the Irish Examiner, the Minister for Health and Children stated that excessive drinking would be the subject of his next crusade. I thought it was obesity but perhaps he is linking the issues together. He said he would particularly tackle binge drinking among young people. We will deal with the issue of excessive drinking in a debate in the House tomorrow. I hope that in his zeal the Minister does not follow the route of prohibition which, as we all know, did not work in the US and, in fact, lead to excessive drinking.

Smoking is bad — even one puff is bad — and to breathe via passive smoking someone else's dirty fumes is bad. However, a drink in moderation is not bad and all medical advice tells one that a glass of wine does one good. Therefore, I do not wish to see the undoubted zeal and tenacity of the Minister devoted to stamping out drinking altogether, although it is to be welcomed in respect of excessive drinking. The former would take the fun out of life and must be taken with a sense of proportion. I have already stated this to the Minister — I am not stating this behind his back or waiting for it to be conveyed to him. I asked him not to let his crusader, missionary-like zeal be translated into closing pubs altogether. I do not know how the vintners would react to that but I know he would not get away with it. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, agrees that to stamp out drinking completely would be wrong. A drink in moderation is good for one.