The Northern Ireland (Sentences) Bill, which was central to the Good Friday Agreement, was published on Friday outlining terms for the release of paramilitary prisoners.

Under the terms of the bill, those serving fixed terms will have their sentences reduced by two-thirds and those serving life will have their terms cut by a third. Anyone still in prison at the end of two years will then be allowed out.

'The gates will not be thrown open'

Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam insisted that the bill did not mean a general amnesty. "The gates of the Maze Prison will not suddenly be thrown open," she said.

Mo Mowlam briefed Opposition members about the Bill

Dr Mowlam said that an independent body would be established to review each case on its merits. Prisoners judged still to be a danger to the public would not be freed.

In addition, she stressed that the releases were on licence and prisoners who became involved with terrorism again would be taken back to jail.

Only prisoners from paramilitary groups on unequivocal ceasefire will be considered for release.

The Northern Ireland Secretary added: "I accept that for many, particularly the victims and their families, this is a difficult and painful issue.

"But many victims have also told me that they accept that dealing with the prisoners issue is necessary to help to ensure that there are not more victims in the future."

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble welcomed the bill's publication, saying it contained the four conditions spelt out by the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in his pre-referendum pledges.

Amendments to be tabled

He said his concern now was to make sure the prime minister's criteria were applied through the bill, that there are no gaps, and that there has not been too much bureaucratic caution in the drafting.

"Crucially, we will also be pressing for clear undertakings by the secretary of state in parliament that the powers of the bill will be operated in practice fully in accord with the spirit of the prime minister's undertakings."

Paramilitary prisoners inside the Maze

He added that the UUP would be tabling amendments "to try to make it watertight and to probe the secretary of state's intentions".

Conservative Northern Ireland spokesman Andrew Mackay said that Mr Blair had to stand by the assurances which he gave to the people of Northern Ireland in the run-up to the vote on the referendum on the Good Friday document.

He told BBC Radio Ulster: "A lot of ordinary decent people changed their minds and gave the government, and ourselves, the benefit of the doubt and voted Yes, because they were confident that the prime minister was going to make sure that further prisoners were not released without substantial moves towards full decommissioning."