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Declaration by Government of existence of state of emergency affecting supply or distribution of gas.
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7.—(1) Whenever and so often as the Government are of opinion that abnormal circumstances prevail or are likely to prevail in relation to the supply or distribution of gas, the Government may by order declare that a state of emergency affecting the supply or distribution of gas exists.
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(2) An order under subsection (1) of this section shall remain in force for such period (not exceeding six months from the date of the making thereof) as the Government think proper and specify in the order and shall then expire, unless continued in force by an order made under subsection (3) of this section.
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(3) Where—
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(a) there is for the time being in force an order (in this subsection referred to as the principal order) under subsection (1) of this section declaring that a state of emergency affecting the supply or distribution of gas exists, and
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(b) the Government are of opinion that abnormal circumstances still prevail in relation to the supply or distribution of gas, the following provisions shall have effect—
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(i) The Government may by order (in this subsection referred to as a continuance order) made before the expiration of the principal order, continue the principal order in force for such period (not exceeding six months from the date on which the principal order would but for the continuance order expire) as the Government think proper and specify in the continuance order, and may thereafter from time to time by order (in this subsection also referred to as a continuance order), made before the expiration of the principal order under the last previous continuance order, continue the principal order in force for such period (not exceeding six months from the date on which the principal order would have expired under the last previous continuance order) as the Government think proper and specify in the continuance order,
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(ii) if only one continuance order is made, the principal order shall continue in force until the expiration of the period for which it is continued in force by that continuance order, and shall then expire,
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(iii) if two or more continuance orders are made, the principal order shall continue in force until the expiration of the period for which it is continued in force by the last of those continuance orders, and shall then expire.
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(4) Every order made under this section shall, as soon as may be after it is made, be published in the Iris Oifigiúil.
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