The Irish Nurses Organisation has come out strongly in support of the proposed smoking ban in public places. The INO president, Ms Clare Spillane, told the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, that although he would be subject to pressure, his stance on the ban was "absolutely correct".
Mr Martin was opening the organisation's first full-time regional office outside of Dublin, in Cork, yesterday, at which the INO highlighted its support for the complete ban of smoking in workplaces.
Its general secretary, Mr Liam Doran, said later: "The INO fully endorses that passive smoking is a major health risk and that it is long past time we banned smoking in public places to protect people from its harmful effects."
Mr Doran said the INO would be urging the Government to "fully resist the lobby groups that would have us engage in unhealthy habits. It's a straightforward health and safety and social issue and we are prepared to back the Minister on this part of the initiative."
Ms Spillane also urged that any restructuring of the State's health boards should include a wider role for nurses and midwives in the areas of diagnosing and prescribing.
The new Cork office will provide support for the union's 4,500 members in Cork and Kerry.