I am aware of the judgment in the case to which the Deputy refers, and I can assure him that it is being studied carefully. I understand that the matter will now revert to the British Court of Appeal which referred the case to the European Court of Justice in the first instance.
I have repeatedly emphasised to the British authorities the importance of a positive approach to the new situation created by the ceasefires. The Government's view is that this should include dismantling the emergency provisions as soon as possible, in line with the greatly improved security situation on the ground. Such a step would also serve to consolidate the peace and make a significant contribution to political progress.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced some time ago that there is to be an independent review of the two emergency Acts — the Emergency Provisions Act and the Prevention of Terrorism Act — with a view to replacing these in due course. I note that the reviewer has not yet been named, although I understand that this is likely to happen shortly.
The Government will, of course, make its views on dismantling the emergency provisions known to the independent reviewer as soon as this can be arranged. In the meantime and in line with estabished practice, we expect that we will be asked to comment on the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act during 1995 when this is reviewed early in the New Year. We will reiterate our position that, in the present situation, serious consideration should be given to non-renewal of the Act next year, or at the very least that its more controversial provisions should be allowed to lapse.