The proposed no-smoking ban in public places in the Republic is to be raised by the Fine Gael TD, Mr Seymour Crawford, at today's plenary meeting of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body, which takes place at Ware, Hertfordshire.
The Cavan-Monaghan deputy has tabled a question for the Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, asking, "What plans he has to introduce a no-smoking law for the hotels, pubs, etc [in Northern Ireland], similar to that being introduced by the Irish Government?"
He has also requested details of discussions that may have taken place between the British and Irish governments regarding the possibility of an all-Ireland approach to the issue; what representations he has received regarding the danger of the imposition of this law by the Irish Government creating a Border mentality; and if he will make a statement.
However, political developments in the North, including the question of Assembly elections, are likely to dominate the agenda for the session, which is being held today and tomorrow. There is some doubt over the likely attendance of Mr Murphy due to the pace of events in the peace process and he may be replaced by a substitute speaker for the British government.
The body's Irish co-chairman, the Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Brendan Smith, said the conference was taking place at "a crucial time for the North". The historian and commentator, Prof Paul Bew of Queen's University Belfast, will address the 68-member body on the current situation in the North.
Other items for debate include the proposed European Constitution, the nuclear plant at Sellafield and the controversial issue of penalty points for driving offences in both jurisdictions.
This morning, members will discuss a "substantive motion" on recent political developments in the North. This afternoon, Mr Murphy or another British government representative is ex- pected to bring members up to date on developments in the peace process.
The body was established in 1990 as a link between Westminster and Dublin. There are 25 British and 25 Irish members, and representatives from the Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands and the North.