James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The amendment would mean that such entry could be for the purposes of any regulations and, therefore, expand it beyond the penal regulations made under section 31A of the Health Act.

I appreciate that the intention of all Senators is to be constructive. It is not ideal that this matter is going through the Houses so quickly. Unfortunately, in the circumstances of the emergency, it is going through with the necessary haste, albeit a regrettable haste.

I now turn to the "otherwise" clause. The purpose of this is to bring clarity to the situation for An Garda Síochána. The concern is that An Garda Síochána could have certain powers at the front door of a premises but once they step in they find their powers reduced because they cannot apply other regulations on the basis that perhaps someone would put up an argument that the specific regulations-----