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Amendment of section 31A of Health Act 1947
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13. Section 31A of the Act of 1947 is amended by the insertion of the following subsections after subsection (6):
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“(6A) (a) Without prejudice to the generality of this section and of sections 95 and 96 but subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), the Minister may, in respect of a provision of a regulation made under subsection (1) that is stated to be a penal provision, prescribe such provision to be a relevant provision for the purposes of the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020 and, where he or she does so, the provision so prescribed shall be enforceable under and in accordance with that Act.
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(b) When prescribing a provision of a regulation for the purposes of this subsection, the Minister shall, in addition to the matters specified in subsection (2), have regard to—
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(i) the risks with regard to the spread of Covid-19 associated with gatherings of persons and, in particular, where such gatherings are connected with the consumption of intoxicating liquor,
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(ii) the need to take such additional protective measures as are practicable in order to mitigate those risks and to prevent, limit, minimise or slow the spread of Covid-19 in an effective manner,
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(iii) the extent to which the additional enforcement measures provided for in the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020 could assist in mitigating those risks and preventing, limiting, minimising or slowing the spread of Covid-19 in an effective manner, and
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(iv) the need to take additional protective measures to assist and support the State’s efforts to promote and maintain the normal functioning of society, to protect the gradual re-opening of society and, to the greatest extent possible, to avoid the imposition or re-imposition of restrictions thereon.
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(c) Before prescribing regulations under this subsection, the Minister shall consult the Minister for Justice and Equality and any other Minister of the Government as the Minister considers appropriate having regard to the functions of that other Minister of the Government.
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(6B) Subsection (6A) is in addition to and not in substitution for any powers of enforcement conferred on a member of the Garda Síochána by or under this section or any other provision of this Act, or any other enactment.”.
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