Simon Clark - Taking Liberties

Good news from Ireland.

This morning a motion to ban smoking throughout the Oireachtas (the Irish equivalent of the Palace of Westminster) failed.

Smoking has been banned inside all parliament buildings since the introduction of the smoking ban in Ireland in 2004.

Outside however there are four designated smoking areas on the Leinster House campus and it was this facility that Senator John Crown wanted to remove, forcing people to leave the grounds before they light up.

Unexpectedly Senator Crown's motion was rejected by the Joint Committee on Health and Children. Members agreed with his objective (a reduction in the number of people who smoke) but expressed concern for the personal safety of staff forced to leave the grounds.

Instead the Committee voted for an amendment that supported a voluntary approach to smoking prevention.

A few moments ago Forest Eireann issued this response:

"This is a victory for common sense. Tobacco is a legal product and smokers are entitled to light up outside where they are not inconveniencing anyone.

"Senator Crown's motion had one objective, to force people to give up smoking. People should have a choice and education is better than coercion.

"The Health Committee's decision is based on pragmatism and we welcome this sensible approach to policy making."

Senator Crown is currently moving a bill to ban smoking in cars when there is a child present. He did himself no good today however because I am told that his strong arm tactics didn't go down too well with other members of the committee.

At one point he tried to force a vote on his motion which would have put members of the Committee on Health and Children in an invidious position – support it or be accused or acting against the health of the nation.

The introduction of an amendment (against Crown's wishes) saved them from that predicament.

Senator Crown, it seems, was "raging".

Calm down, dear.

Update on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 14:00 by

Simon Clark

This story just gets better and better.

I have been speaking to one or people in Ireland who watched the meeting online and it was an absolute hoot apparently, a complete car crash.

Crown's behaviour is described as "arrogant" and "nasty". I paraphrase but I understand that at one point he told his colleagues that you're either in favour of people dying or you're not.

His attempt to browbeat the committee to support his motion backfired spectacularly however.

He did such a good job alienating other committee members that when it came to the vote on the amendment the committee voted 12:2 in favour. Crown was one of the two.

We are trying to get a transcript of the meeting. With a bit of luck a video might be posted online. Don't hold your breath, though.

Update: Crown “disappointed” as Oireachtas committee votes against smoking ban at Leinster House (The Journal.ie)

Update: Senator's smoking ban fails to ignite (Irish Times)

Update: Just one TD backs smoking ban in Leinster House (Irish Sun)