Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1973

28 Interpretation

(1) In this Act, except so far as the context otherwise requires—

• " constable " includes any member of the Royal Naval, Military or Air Force Police ;

• " dwelling-house " means any building or part of a building used as a dwelling ;

• " enactment " includes an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland;

• " explosive " means any article or substance manufactured for the purpose of producing a practical effect by explosion;

• " explosive substance " means any substance for the time being specified in regulations made under section 3 of the [1970 c. 10 (N.I.).] Explosives Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 ;

• " firearm " includes an air gun or air pistol;

• " imitation firearm " means anything which has the appearance of being a firearm, whether capable of being discharged or not;

• " Ministry " means the Ministry of Home Affairs for Northern Ireland;

• " offensive weapon " means any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to or incapacitating a person;

• " proscribed organisation " means an organisation for the time being specified in Schedule 2 to this Act, including an organisation which is to be treated as a proscribed organisation by virtue of section 19(3) above ;

• " public place " means a place to which for the time being members of the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise;

• " scheduled offence " has the meaning ascribed to it by section 27 above;

• " terrorism " means the use of violence for political ends and includes any use of violence for the purpose of putting the public or any section of the public in fear ;

• " terrorist " means a person who is or has been concerned in the commission or attempted commission of any act of terrorism or in directing, organising or training persons for the purpose of terrorism ;

• " vehicle " includes a hovercraft.

(2) Any reference in this Act, except so far as the context otherwise requires, to an enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, applied or extended by or under any other enactment, including this Act.

(3) Any reference in this Act to an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland or to an enactment which that Parliament has power to amend shall be construed as including a reference to any enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland passed after this Act and re-enacting the said enactment with or without modifications.