55.—(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Part, a road authority may, other than for the development of land and subject to such conditions and restrictions as it thinks fit, permit direct access to or from any land adjoining a motorway or a busway or (where access has been prohibited or restricted in a protected road scheme) a protected road—

( a ) by a State authority, statutory undertaker or a local authority to carry out works to which section 53 applies,

( b ) by ambulances or fire brigade vehicles,

( c ) by vehicles used by members of the Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces or persons employed by local authorities in the performance of their duties as such members or employees,

( d ) by any other person or vehicle where by reason of an emergency there is a serious risk to persons or property.

(2) Nothing in this Act shall prevent a road authority from having direct access to or from a motorway, a busway or a protected road for the purpose of maintaining such motorway, busway or protected road.

(3) The Minister may make regulations for the purposes of this section.

(4) Any person who contravenes a regulation under this section which is deemed to be a penal regulation shall be guilty of an offence.