Explanatory note

This Order specifies those organisations which the Secretary of State believes are concerned in terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland, or in promoting or encouraging it, and have not established or are not maintaining a complete and unequivocal cease-fire. The organisations mentioned in the Schedule are specified organisations for the purposes of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 (c. 35), which makes provision about the release on licence of certain prisoners serving sentences of imprisonment in Northern Ireland. The effect of specifying an organisation is that a prisoner who is, or who would be likely to become, a supporter of such an organisation is ineligible for release under the Act or, if he has been released under the Act, is liable to be recalled to prison.