33.— (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), summary proceedings in relation to an offence under the relevant chemicals statutory provisions may be brought and prosecuted by a national authority.

(2) Notwithstanding section 10(4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 and subject to subsection (3), summary proceedings for an offence under section 29(16) may be instituted at any time within 12 months from the date on which the offence was committed or alleged to have been committed.

(3) Where a special report is submitted under section 18(1) to a national authority and it appears from the report that one or more of the relevant chemicals statutory provisions was contravened during any period to which the report relates, summary proceedings for an offence consisting of the contravention concerned may be instituted at any time within 6 months of the submission of the report under section 18(1) or 12 months after the date of the contravention, whichever occurs later.