Introduction

The purpose of the Act is to give effect to a number of international instruments directed to terrorism and to meet commitments which the State has undertaken as part of the European Union and the broader international community, including commitments arising from United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 adopted in response to the events of September 11th, 2001. The Act is also intended to amend our law more generally to enhance the capacity of the State to address the problem of international terrorism.

The principal purpose of the Act is to enable effect to be given in our law to the:

• European Union Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism;

• International Convention against the Taking of Hostages;

• Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents;

• International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings; and the

• International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.

The Act makes provision for a number of additional measures directed in particular to the financing of terrorism and terrorist groups for the purpose of complementing the Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism.

This Act also provides for the retention of communications data (Part 7) and amends the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 (Part 8).

Part 1 (Sections 1-3) Preliminary Matters