Plan to ban smoking in pubs

Madam, - I commend the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, for his apparently indomitable resolve to see the proposed smoking legislation go through unabridged.

But I think it now behoves the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to come out unequivocally in support of his beleaguered colleague, lest his recent nebulous media soundbites be construed as tacit support for the pro-smoking lobby. - Yours, etc.,

CRÓCHÁN J. O'SULLIVAN,

Grangebeg,

Dunlavin,

Co Wicklow.