The ban on smoking in all workplaces including pubs and restaurants will come into effect "early this year" despite a threat of legal action from the hospitality industry, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin said yesterday.
Mr Martin indicated he would shortly be announcing the date on which the ban will come into effect. It is likely to be in March or April.
"It will happen early this year and the only issue now is the commencement date," he told a press briefing at the Department of Health.
The ban cannot be implemented before the end of February, when a 90-day EU approval process ends.
Mr Martin hit out at the hospitality sector and its threat to mount a legal challenge to the ban. He said he had always anticipated a legal challenge "because certain interests out there want to knock this full stop. And that's the bottom line and I think that has always been the position of the Irish Hospitality Alliance; despite what they say their ultimate ambition is one way or another to bring this edifice down".
He added that the Department would be taking its own steps to prepare for the legal challenge.
The Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance is inviting the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, the Licenced Vintners' Association, and the Irish Hotels Federation to join it in seeking a judicial review of the legislation in the High Court. If granted this would have the potential to delay implementation of the ban.