Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I was saying, it shall specify a maximum duration of six hours for any cessation period. The authorisation may contain other terms and conditions considered necessary in the circumstances. In reply to a query tDeputy Mattie McGrath raised earlier, the period is 24 hours. The initial direction can be for six hours at any time within the 24 hours and if the chief superintendent reaches a conclusion after six hours that there may be a need for a second direction, a second direction may arise.

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