The IRA were not really much of a threat and the prospect of the use of a nuclear, chemical or bio attack by the IRA was non-existant.  Things have changed and we are IMO effectively witnessing a kind of WW3. The threat is real, but equally I think the police have asked for 90 days for no real formal reason other than more is better.  I think it will probably be passed in the bill amended to 28 days.