A group campaigning against the forthcoming Government ban on smoking in the workplace is planning to stage a protest at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis in Co Kerry in two weeks' time.
The Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance (IHIA) has asked owners of licensed premises in Killarney to ban Fianna Fáil delegates from lighting up on their premises for the duration of the Ard Fheis which takes place on the weekend of October 11th.
The group is also planning to appoint so-called 'smoke police officers' who will visit pubs and possibly the conference centre to issue warnings to those found smoking.
It is proposed the ban on smoking will be implemented on one street - College St - in order to publicise the group's opposition to the Government's intention to ban smoking in the workplace - a move the IHIA says will seriously damage the country's economy.
The Irish Hospitality Industry Alliance (IHIA), which claims 3,500 members, comprises an alliance of hotels, pubs, restaurants and guesthouses. The group has claimed the ban could result in a loss of some 65,000 jobs.