The increase in time a suspect can be detained in Garda custody under the Criminal Justice provisions will make a major impact on investigations, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said today.
As part of the response to the spate of gangland crime in recent weeks, Mr McDowell increased the amount of time a suspected can be held without charge from 12 to 24 hours.
Under the new system an officer at or above the rank of chief superintendent can authorise the extension of a suspect's detention for a second 12-hour period.
Crime involving firearms is already covered by the Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act which allows for up to 72 hours without charge.
The changes are provided for under the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and cover the investigation of crimes up to and including murder.
"The enactment of these new regulations is a significant development for the Garda Síochána in its continuing fight against serious and organised crime by facilitating more effective investigation of offences through extended powers of detention.
"These powers, alongside the unprecedented package of additional resources for the Garda Síochána which I announced earlier this week, will greatly enhance the capacity of the Force to tackle serious crime," Mr McDowell said.
Under the previous rules, a suspect arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act could be for six hours without charge and a further six-hour period could be extended by an officer at or above the rank of superintendent.