The ban on smoking, with the exemptions announced by the Government, is expected to be in operation by the end of next February, the Taoiseach said.
Mr Ahern said the legal basis for the ban, having passed through the required European process, was now rock solid. He added that the ban and the exemptions were made under the tobacco code of legislation, which was separate and distinct from the health and safety act.
Legal advice had been received from the Office of the Attorney General that the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 might not encompass the banning of environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace. It had been decided that primary legislation was required to remove this uncertainty, and the proposed Bill would provide for such amendments as were necessary to remove any legal uncertainties.