A HIGH-POWERED team from Greater Manchester has been to see if Ireland's smoking ban could be repeated here. Martin Dillon discovers how the locals in Dublin are coping...

"IT'S a real party out here, it's become a social occasion" laughs Billy Martley and he takes another drag on his cigarette outside his local pub in between chatting to his pals.

For Billy, and thousands like him across Ireland, the days of a pint and a smoke inside his favourite boozer have long gone.

The Emerald Isle has banned smoking inside the workplace which means lighting up in pubs, restaurants and nightclubs is strictly forbidden.

But it hasn't stopped smokers from enjoying the craic as they huddle in groups laughing and joking. Most seem to be philosophical about the restrictions and have grudgingly accepted the ban.

Billy, 43, said: "The Irish have always been known as outgoing and this smoking ban has proved a great way of meeting people. But I still think its wrong because I don't think the government should be dictating to us. It's going to become very cold in the next few months so I have got a friend who is going to make me sheepskin coat for the winter!"

Some entrepreneurial publicans have bought large heated lamps so drinkers can enjoy a cigarette outside in relative warmth. Dublin club promoter Eddie McGuinness said: "If someone does light up they are politely asked to put it out and obviously if they don't then they would be asked to leave the premises.

"But I have to say that I have never come across an incident of someone refusing to put their cigarette out and we've had no problems with tourists.

"If someone does want to go outside they have their hand stamped so they can come back in no problem.

"You still wake up with a sore head in the morning but everyone enjoys the fact that your clothes don't stink of smoke in the morning.

Danny Byrne, owner of Eliza Blues restaurant, said: "Fifteen years ago, we had people complaining when bus conductors were taken off the buses.

"Everyone was saying there are going to be massive queues as everyone waits to get on but it never happened and people have forgotten all about it. It will be the same with the smoking ban."

Many questioned how the controversial measure would be received but, according to Irish Health Minster Michael Martin, landlords and drinkers have fallen into line since the ban was introduced in March.

Only one boozer in the country initially flouted the ban but the owners of Fibber Magee's pub in Galway agreed to comply after taking legal advice.

But with the high cost of alcohol and some smokers have decided to spend more time out home drinking.

Michael Clancy, 30, from Galway said: "I know some people who certainly won't pop down their local during the week because of the ban. It's easier and cheaper to go round to a friend's house and enjoy a pint and a smoke."

Mr Martin said that around 7,000 people had given up smoking since the ban and the country will reap benefits in the long run with lower healthcare costs.

Political leaders in Greater Manchester are now waiting to hear if a government White Paper on public health will propose a national ban or give individual councils the power to introduce legislation, which means the region could be smoke-free by 2006.

Opinion polls show most people in the area would support a ban.

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