39.—(1) The Minister may appoint in writing such persons or persons of such classes as he or she sees fit to be authorised persons for the purposes or specified purposes of this Part.

(2) An authorised person or a member of the Garda Síochána may be assisted in the exercise of his or her functions under this Part by such persons as he or she considers necessary.

(3) An authorised person (other than an officer of the Permanent Defence Forces holding commissioned naval rank) shall be furnished with a warrant of his or her appointment as an authorised person and when exercising any power conferred on him or her by this section as an authorised person, shall, unless in uniform, if requested by a person affected, produce the warrant or a copy of it to that person.

(4) A person who obstructs a member of the Garda Síochána or an authorised person in the exercise of his or her powers under this Part is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or both.