94F.—(1) This Part shall apply to the provision of assistance in criminal matters between the State and EPPO.

(2) This Part shall apply to EPPO requests whether made before, on or after the coming into operation of section 52 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023.

(3) Where, before the coming into operation of section 52 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, EPPO has sought assistance from the State, the seeking of such assistance shall, for the purposes of this Part, be deemed—

(a) to be an EPPO request,

(b) to have been made in accordance with this Act, and

(c) subject to subsection (4), to have been received by the State on the coming into operation of that section.

(3) Where assistance referred to in subsection (3) involves—

(a) the notification of the Minister as referred to in subsection (1)(d) of section 27, subsection (2) of that section shall apply as if "and at the latest within a period specified in subsection (7)," was deleted, and

(b) an external freezing order, section 35(3) shall apply as if "and, whenever practicable, within 24 hours of receipt of the order and a duly completed certificate" was deleted.]