A large number of backbench TDs in Fianna Fáil have said the Government should amend its plans to introduce a blanket ban on smoking in pubs from next January.
But while 15 deputies are now known to be seeking a compromise proposal from the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, it appeared last night that a greater number of those who have gone public are supporting the plan.
Some 21 deputies, including Mr Martin, are known to be publicly in favour of the proposal for a blanket ban.
Five figures who have failed to offer immediate support to Mr Martin - by reserving their position - include the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, and three junior ministers.
These were: the Minister of State for Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea; the Minister of State for Europe, Mr Dick Roche; and the Minister of State for the Environment, Mr Pat "the Cope" Gallagher.
The Irish Times attempted yesterday to contact each of Fianna Fáil's 81 TDs, but many could not be reached due to the holiday period.
Those seeking a compromise include the deputy Government Whip, Mr Billy Kelleher, who said he was actively seeking "some consensual agreement" among his colleagues.
"We need some type of compromise. There are a lot of concerns within the trade and among the public," he said.
Others in the compromise camp include the Longford-Roscommon TD, Mr Michael Finneran, who said the plan should be phased in.
"I am opposed to any measure that would determine someone is a criminal just because they were having a smoke and a drink in a pub," Mr Finneran said.
The Galway East TD, Mr Joe Callanan, said the blanket ban should not be introduced immediately. While non-smokers should be able to drink in pubs in the absence of smoke, he said the ban "should be phased in" if possible.
"What the Minister is trying to do is right, if there could be an easier way of easier way of doing it, of easing into it."
The Limerick West TD, Mr Michael Collins, also called for a compromise. "I think it should be phased in. It's very difficult to expect people, especially in small rural pubs, to understand what he's doing."
The Sligo TD, Mr John Ellis, said there had to be a compromise "especially for older people". He suggested the use of extractor fans or smoke-free zones to enable non-smokers avoid smoke.
The Clare deputy, Mr Tony Killeen, said an absolute ban seemed to be "a little harsh" as a starting point. "There is a case for examining the feasibility of a compromise," he said. However, Mr Killeen said he acknowledged this would be difficult.
Mr John McGuinness of Carlow/Kilkenny said he favoured the examination of compromises such as the introduction of better smoke-extraction systems in pubs.
He said the views of backbenchers should be listened to and hoped that discussion and debate would lead to "a sensible way forward".
Mr Pat "the Cope" Gallagher did not offer immediate support for Mr Martin's plan when contacted yesterday.
Stating that he had he had not yet taken a position on the matter, he said he had heard concerns expressed by publicans and individuals in his constituency.
He would wait to talk to Mr Martin before deciding his view.
Also failing to offer immediate support for the plan, Mr Willie O'Dea said: "I haven't given it any thought at all."
Mr Roche said he would not offer any comment on Mr Martin's plan. "I don't want to talk about it," he said.
The Mayo TD, Mr John Carty, said: "Basically speaking, I am in favour of banning smoking in public."
But while Mr Carty said the matter should be discussed by the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, he would not say whether he supported the blanket ban.
Those supporting the ban include the Cork East deputy, Mr Ned O'Keeffe. Stating that he was a strong supporter of Mr Martin's position, he added: "The Government of the day has to protect the health of its people."
The Dublin TD, Mr Eoin Ryan, said he supported the introduction of the blanket ban from January.