Madam, - I write to congratulate John Deasy on the bold stand he made in the Dáil bar recently. I, like he, feel quite put upon by this repressive piece of legislation. That the Government was allowed without question by Mr Deasy's party leader to introduce this law is outrageous and diminishes the role of Leader of the Opposition.
The fact that the legislation was passed despite the complete absence of any demand for it from the employees it is supposed to protect makes it all the more galling.
My understanding of Mr Deasy's case is that he asked for the door out to the outdoor smoking area to be opened and a member of staff refused this reasonable of request.
Given that he asked to be allowed smoke outside and was therefore willing to obey the law on this matter I think it is very harsh that he has been removed from the front bench.
The next few weekends will see the first meaningful test of the ban as the general drinking public decide how to respond.
If members of staff in other, public bars behave in the same manner as the person in the Dáil bar I believe that we will see not only minor law-breaking but also serious violence. - Yours etc.,
AIDAN O'CARROLL, Mount Argus Close, Kimmage, Dublin 6.