162. (1) In any criminal proceedings, a certificate to which an authorisation given under Part 2 other than section 11, or a copy of such an authorisation, is annexed—

(a) purporting to be signed by a member of the Garda Síochána, and

(b) stating that—

(i) he or she gave the authorisation concerned, and

(ii) if appropriate, the grounds on which that authorisation was given,

shall be admissible as evidence of the matters stated in the certificate.

(2) In any criminal proceedings, the court may—

(a) if it considers that the interests of justice so require, direct that oral evidence be given of the matters stated in a certificate under this section, and

(b) adjourn the proceedings to a later date for the purpose of receiving the oral evidence.

(3) The Minister may prescribe the form of a certificate under this section.