235.—(1) An authorised person (subject to the production by him or her, if so requested, of his or her authority in writing) or a member of the Garda Síochána shall be entitled at all reasonable times to enter and inspect any land or any structure for any purpose connected with this Part.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), an authorised person or a member of the Garda Síochána shall, in the performance of his or her functions under subsection (1), be entitled to—

(a) require the person in control of the land or structure concerned to—

(i) inform him or her of any matter which the authorised person or the member of the Garda Síochána considers to be relevant, or

(ii) provide such plans, documentation or other information as are necessary to establish that the requirements of this Part and any regulations made under this Part or any licence or any conditions to which the licence is subject are being complied with,

(b) take with him or her on to land such persons and equipment as he or she considers necessary and to carry out such tests or to do such other things which he or she considers necessary for the purposes referred to in subsection (1).

(3) Any person who—

(a) refuses to allow an authorised person or a member of the Garda Síochána to enter any land in exercise of his or her powers under this section,

(b) obstructs or impedes an authorised person or a member of the Garda Síochána in exercise of his or her powers under this section, or

(c) wilfully or recklessly gives, either to an authorised person or a member of the Garda Síochána, information which is false or misleading in a material respect,

shall be guilty of an offence.

(4) In this section, “authorised person” means a person authorised for the purposes of this Act by a local authority.