(1) Without prejudice to the future exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Act of 1972, all regulations made under section 3 of the Act of 1972 prior to the passing of this Act are hereby confirmed as on and from the date upon which they purported to come into operation.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall operate to confirm regulations or any provision of any regulation to the extent only that such confirmation is in accordance with the Constitution.

(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall be construed to mean that but for this Act, any regulations or provision of regulations would for any reason be invalid having regard to the provisions of the Constitution or otherwise.

(4) Notwithstanding section 10(4) of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, proceedings in respect of offences committed after the passing of this Act under regulations (whether made before or after such passing) under the Act of 1972 may be instituted at any time within two years from the date of the commission of the offence.

(5) Subsection (1) of this section shall apply to all regulations made under section 3 of the Act of 1972 prior to the passing of this Act subject to any adaptation, amendment or revocation thereof whether by regulations made under the said section 3 or by any Act of the Oireachtas or instrument thereunder.