An Oireachtas committee has moved to extinguish a row over smoking in the members' bar in Leinster House after Fine Gael justice spokesman Mr John Deasy smoked two cigarettes in the bar reserved for sitting and former TDs and senators.
Mr Deasy smoked in the bar on Tuesday night, after being refused permission by staff to go into a small outdoor yard adjacent to the bar.
This is contrary to the ban on smoking in all bars and restaurants which took effect on Monday.
The incident was raised yesterday at the Oireachtas Joint Services Committee, which on January 21st said it "endorsed the full implementation" of the ban.
Smoking TDs, senators and Leinster House staff have expressed concern that the Oireachtas bars and restaurants are located deep in the Leinster House complex without immediate access to outdoor areas, unlike other bars and restaurants.
Mr Deasy, who could not be contacted for comment last night, is reported to have lit up in the members' bar after an argument with staff over whether the small yard adjacent to the members' bar could be used for smoking.
The yard is on the ground floor of the three-storey building, but has no roof and it is therefore legal to smoke in it. The Oireachtas committee yesterday designated it, and a number of other outdoor locations in the grounds of Leinster House, as areas in which smoking is permitted.