[F146.—(1) In this Article—
(a) “ P ” means a person detained under Article 45(2);
(b) “ the Commissioners ” means the Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland;
(c) “ the Department ” means the Department of Justice; and
(d) references to the relevant part of P's sentence are references to the part of P's sentence specified as such under Article 45(2A).
(2) As soon as—
(a)P has served the relevant part of P's sentence, and
(b)the Commissioners have directed P's release under this Article,
the Department shall release P on licence.
(3) The Commissioners shall not give a direction under paragraph (2) with respect to P unless—
(a)the Department has referred P's case to the Commissioners; and
(b)the Commissioners are satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public from serious harm that P should be detained.
(4) P may require the Department to refer P's case to the Commissioners at any time—
(a)after P has served the relevant part of P's sentence; and
(b)where there has been a previous reference of P's case to the Commissioners under paragraph (3) or Article 46B(4), after the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the disposal of that reference.
(5) In determining for the purposes of this Article whether P has served the relevant part of P's sentence, no account shall be taken of any time during which P was unlawfully at large, unless the Department otherwise directs.
(6) The Department may at any time release P on licence if it is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist which justify P's release on compassionate grounds.
(7) Before releasing P under paragraph (6), the Department shall consult the Commissioners, unless the circumstances are such as to render such consultation impracticable.
(8) Nothing in this Article requires the Department to release a person in respect of a sentence under Article 45(2) at any time when that person is liable to be detained in respect of any other sentence.]
F1Arts. 46-46B substituted for art. 46 (26.4.2013) by Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 (c. 7), ss. 10(3), 15(1) (with s. 10(5)-(9))