Smoking a joint in public will now land you an on-the-spot fine, minister announces

Smoking cannabis in public will carry a €235 penalty under the on-the-spot fines system, Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield has announced.

"I want to see more enforcement against those who do not respect the people around them and smoke cannabis in public against the law," Bedingfield said on Wednesday.

He said the fine would target people caught smoking cannabis in public, which remains illegal.

Although the penalty already exists, Bedingfield said the €235 penalty would be included among the on-the-spot fines, as he called for greater enforcement against those who disregard the law and smoke cannabis in public.