A landmark Dublin pub has closed its outdoor smoking area after it emerged that it could be in breach of the smoking ban.
Doheny & Nesbitts, a popular watering hole for politicians and civil servants, is now seeking advice on whether the space, an enclosed yard with a see-through canopy, complies with the current regulations.
A member of staff at the Baggot Street pub said as soon as it was learned yesterday that the area may be in breach of the regulations, it was closed. There was no intention to avoid the ban or breach it, he said.
Under the regulations smoking is banned in enclosed work places, with the exception of outdoor areas and family homes.
Outdoor work areas with fixed or moveable roofs must have no more than 50 per cent of their perimeter area enclosed.
In the case of the Doheny & Nesbitts smoking area, the perimeter is enclosed on three sides, with the fixed roof having narrow exposed openings between two sides of the roof and the walls.
A spokeswoman for the South Western Area Health Board, which polices the smoking ban in the Baggot Street area, declined to comment on a specific premises.
"In relation to the implementation of the smoking ban, a nominal number of complaints have been received to date by the South Western Area Health Board and these are being fully investigated," she said, adding that "exceptionally high levels of compliance have been noted throughout the board's area.