Clause 1 - Offences to which the Act applies
Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill
12:45 pm
David Hanson (Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office; Delyn, Labour)
Again, I hope that I can assure the hon. Gentleman—I may not succeed—that the certification commissioner will have to make a judgment based on what he determines is defined as “terrorism and the affairs of Northern Ireland” as detailed under the 2000 Act.
The certification commissioner will take a decision on each case. For example, a bank robbery might be determined as being part of terrorism, because it was linked to funding for a terrorist activity. However, the decision will be made by the commissioner, along the same lines as the decision currently that is taken by the Attorney-General as to whether a matter falls under 2000 Act.