April 1, 2004

(03:13) The Fine Gael Justice Spokesman, John Deasy was sacked last night from the party's front bench for breaking the ban on smoking in the workplace.

The party leader, Enda Kenny said he had made the decision to relieve the Waterford Deputy of his portfolio with regret.

The Cork South West TD, Jim O'Keefe, is to be Fine Gael's new Justice spokesman.


Earlier Mr Deasy admitted he'd smoked a number of cigarettes in the Leinster House members bar on Tuesday night.

RTE's Political staff say Mr Kenny felt he had no option but to sack John Deasy after the latest row involving the controversial TD.

Mr Deasy had defied the smoking ban in the members bar in Leinster House, on Tuesday night, after a dispute with staff over access to an outside area, where he felt he should be allowed light up.

His party leader summoned him to a meeting at half past ten, last night, but the Waterford Deputy failed to show and a terse phone conversation, three quarters of an hour later, sealed his fate.

John Deasy had been involved in controversy since his unexpected appointment as a new and youthful deputy to the Fine Gael front bench.

He had been rebuked for criticising former party leader John Bruton and for voting with the government after a row with his own party whip.




http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0401/deasy.html