CHRISTOPHER DORMAN,
Madam, - As Derek Evans states (January 13th), the position regarding smoking on buses is unsatisfactory.
There are two pieces of legislation that apply to prosecutions for smoking on buses: the tobacco regulation under the Health Act which authorises officials from the Department of Health; and the Dublin Bus bye-laws which authorise officials from Dublin Bus, typically drivers and inspectors.
Because of increased complaints about smoking on buses, particularly upstairs on double-deckers, we began a specific campaign to prosecute offenders and highlight the convictions.
In 2002 we brought about 80 prosecutions with mixed results. A number were dismissed because of difficulties with names and addresses and others were given the benefit of the Probation Act. Fines were issued in about 20 cases ranging from €50 to €240 including costs in one case. We have very good support from the Garda on the range of daily incidents occurring.
It is a sad reflection of our society that people do not wish to comply with declared policies in the interests of fellow passengers and that we need to deploy special teams for such work.
You can rest assured that we will continue our campaign and highlight successful prosecutions. - Yours, etc.,
CHRISTOPHER DORMAN,
Manager, Public Affairs,
Dublin Bus,
Dublin 1.
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Madam, - Derek Evans asks whether it is up the bus driver, the passengers or inspectors to enforce the rule against smoking. But what happens if it the driver who is the offender?
I travel on the No. 10 bus each morning from the terminus at UCD. While the bus is waiting for its allotted departure time, the passengers are often left standing at the bus-stop, in all weathers, while the driver sits at the other end of the terminus in the bus smoking and reading the paper - with the result that the bus then smells of smoke.
So who do we turn to to enforce the ruling? - Yours, etc.,
CATHERINE BRYAN,
Mount Merrion,
Co Dublin.