Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978

31 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 and a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly;

• " 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;

• " 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 21(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 30 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) It is hereby declared that in applying section 38(1) of the [1889 c. 63.] Interpretation Act 1889 (effect of repeal and re-enactment) for the construction of references in this Act to other Acts or enactments, account is to be taken of repeal and re-enactment by a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly or an Order in Council.