Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Question No. 204 of 6 November 2007, if there are designated smoking facilities available to patients in hospitals; the recommended specification for same; and the steps she has taken to ensure that patients and smokers are not forced to stand outside in the cold and rain. [30054/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As stated in my reply to Question No. 204 of 6 November 2007, most enclosed places of work — including hospitals (other than psychiatric hospitals) — became smoke-free on 29 March 2004. The primary purpose of the measure is to protect the health of employees and the public (including patients, in the case of hospitals) from exposure to toxic environmental tobacco smoke. The legislation does not provide for designated smoking facilities and there are no plans to permit smoking in hospitals.