2006. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to prevent smoking within the grounds of all public health facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18700/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: The denormalisation of smoking is at the heart of Tobacco Free Ireland, our national tobacco control policy. Tobacco Free Ireland contains a number of recommendations regarding the development of tobacco free environments in educational, sporting, healthcare and governmental facilities. It also promotes the development of tobacco free environments such as parks, playgrounds and beaches through engagement with local authorities. Progress has been made in implementing these recommendations on a voluntary basis with a tobacco free campus policy being achieved on many healthcare campuses through the work of the HSE and relevant stakeholders on those campuses.

My Department continues to work with the HSE and others to enhance the development of smoke free environments across all areas of society.