The Government has been warned by the Fine Gael spokesman on justice, Mr Charles Flanagan, to exercise "extreme caution" in altering or diluting anti-terrorist provisions in Irish law.
The warning against "the real and present threat of terrorism" came after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that sections of the Offences Against the State Act compromised the right to a fair trial and a presumption of innocence, and contravened the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Government was ordered by the Strasbourg-based court to pay damages of £4,000 to Anthony Heaney, William McGuinness and Paul Quinn, who were sentenced to six months in prison for failing to account for their movements during specific periods.
The Fine Gael spokesman referred to the threat posed by dissident republican para militaries, such as the "Real IRA", which continued to stockpile arms and explosives. He said the horror of Omagh must not be allowed to fade. Mr Flanagan called on the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, to make an immediate statement on the action the Government would take on the court decision.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said last night the details of the judgment were being examined and would be taken into account by a committee under the chairmanship of Mr Justice Hederman, which was established under the Belfast Agreement.
A report from the committee is expected to be sent to the Minister early in the new year and it will deal with all aspects of so-called "emergency legislation".