David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The member in charge at the station has to make a call on that. It is their opinion. We are talking about somebody who is dangerously intoxicated and who would be a danger to themselves or to others if they were released. These are people who probably are not even aware where they are or what they are doing so for their own safety and for the safety of others, they can be looked after in the Garda station until, to put it bluntly, they sober up. The six hours is the maximum period but they can be released earlier if necessary.