A total of 22 prosecutions have been brought so far this year for breaches of the smoking ban, the Fine Gael Spokesperson for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Michael Ring, has learned.
Since the act was introduced in 2004 a total of 151 offenders have been before the courts, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Mary Wallace, informed Deputy Ring following a Dáil question.
The Minister supplied figures that showed a total of 13 prosecutions were taken in 2004; 38 in 2005; 35 in 2006; 43 in 2007 and 22 up to December 1 of this year. A breakdown for Mayo showed there was just one prosecution in 2004; five in 2005; five in 2006; seven in 2007 and two so far this year.
Deputy Ring said the introduction of the smoking ban had been a tremendous success and had added greatly to the conditions of those working in bars and hotels and for the general public using bars and restaurants.
