Investigation into Deasy smoke ban breach
Thursday, 1 April 2004 20:27
The South Western Area Health Board has confirmed that it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the breach of the smoking ban by Fine Gael TD John Deasy.
It comes as Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny explained his decision to sack the party's Justice Spokesman for smoking a cigarette in the Dáil bar.
Mr Kenny said it was important for politicians to maintain high standards and added there was a special responsibility on all politicians to uphold the law.
He was speaking to reporters at the National Forum On Europe in Croke Park. The Cork South West TD, Jim O'Keeffe, is to be Fine Gael's new Justice Spokesman.
Earlier, Mr Deasy admitted he had smoked a number of cigarettes in the Leinster House members' bar on Tuesday night.
He had defied the smoking ban after a dispute with staff over access to an outside area where he felt he should be allowed to light up.
His party leader summoned him to a meeting at 10.30pm last night, but the Waterford deputy failed to show and a terse phone conversation three-quarters of an hour later sealed his fate.
Mr Deasy had been involved in controversy since his unexpected appointment as a new and youthful deputy to the Fine Gael front bench.
He had been rebuked for criticising former party leader John Bruton and for voting with the Government after a row with his own party whip.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach, who was also at the forum, praised the Irish people for their reaction to the smoking ban. Bertie Ahern said that people were complying 100%.
- News At One: FG Leader Enda Kenny spoke to the media about sacking his frontbencher following the admission of illegal smoking in Leinster House
- Morning Ireland: Noel Davern, Fianna Fáil TD, and Finian McGrath, Independent TD, give their opinions on the sacking of John Deasy
- Morning Ireland: David Davin-Power, Political Correspondent, assesses the sacking of John Deasy for smoking in the members' bar in Leinster House
- News At One: Martina Fitzgerald got comment and reaction from other FG deputies
- News At One: David Davin-Power, Political Correspondent, met John Deasy briefly this morning
- 1.00 News: David Davin-Power, Political Correspondent, reports on the reaction to the sacking of John Deasy for breaching the smoking ban in the Dáil members' bar
- 6.01 News: David Davin-Power, Political Correspondent, reports on the heavy penalty already paid by FG TD John Deasy for his cigarette in the Dáil bar
- 9.00 News: Eileen Whelan reports on the controversy surrounding John Deasy's breaking of the smoking ban
