ANTI-TERROR LAW ON COURSE TO BECOME LAW
Anti-terror law on course to become law
TOUGH new counter-terrorism measures were on course last night to become law today in the wake of last month's Omagh bombing atrocity.
Despite continuing concerns about the speed with which the legislation was being pushed through Parliament, peers yesterday agreed to complete their scrutiny of the draconian package in just one sitting.
Their decision followed last night's Mill our Commons marathon debate on the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Bill, which sparked angry protests from MPs.
A cross-party alliance of backbenchers failed yesterday to win extra time to consider the legislation, which cleared its Common stages yesterday morning, allowing the Lords second reading debate yesterday afternoon.
The Government wants to get the Bill on the statute book today at the latest in a bid to step up pressure on paramilitary splinter groups trying to derail the Ulster peace process.
The measure aims to make it easier to prosecute people for membership of outlawed organisations the Heal IRA, the Continuity IRA, the INLA and the LVF and to prevent people from conspiring to commit crimes abroad.
It mirrors the new laws being debated by the Eire Parliament and passed by the Dail in a symbolic gesture of unity between the two governments.
TOUGH new counter-terrorism measures were on course last night to become law today in the wake of last month's Omagh bombing atrocity.
Despite continuing concerns about the speed with which the legislation was being pushed through Parliament, peers yesterday agreed to complete their scrutiny of the draconian package in just one sitting.
Their decision followed last night's Mill our Commons marathon debate on the Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Bill, which sparked angry protests from MPs.
A cross-party alliance of backbenchers failed yesterday to win extra time to consider the legislation, which cleared its Common stages yesterday morning, allowing the Lords second reading debate yesterday afternoon.
The Government wants to get the Bill on the statute book today at the latest in a bid to step up pressure on paramilitary splinter groups trying to derail the Ulster peace process.
The measure aims to make it easier to prosecute people for membership of outlawed organisations the Heal IRA, the Continuity IRA, the INLA and the LVF and to prevent people from conspiring to commit crimes abroad.
It mirrors the new laws being debated by the Eire Parliament and passed by the Dail in a symbolic gesture of unity between the two governments.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/270
Published Date: 04-Sep-98
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