The former Fine Gael Justice Spokesman, John Deasy, has said he does not regret smoking in the Dáil bar, an incident which led to his sacking from the Fine Gael front bench.
Speaking on local radio, the Waterford TD said he still believes the ban is over-the-top and extreme, and that there should be some accommodation for people who smoke. Mr Deasy said he will not apologise.
Regarding the smoking incident, he said he had made an honest attempt to comply with the law by trying to open a door and go outside of the bar.
He said the door is always open during the summer and that the day after the incident, the area outside was made a smoking area.
'There was no attempt to accommodate me. I didn't think about walking out to the front of the building at the time,' said Mr Deasy. He added that he thinks the ban makes pariahs out of people.
In relation to the introduction of the ban, he said there was no vote or debate in the Dáil, and that there was no opportunity within his own party to issue an objection to it.
On the issue of Fine Gael, Mr Deasy said he was fed up with the Justice portfolio. He accused the party of complete inertia in that it is not being direct or strong enough. He also said he is very worried for the party and even more worried than he was after the last General Election.
Mr Deasy concluded that he is staying in Fine Gael even though other parties have made proposals to him.
