In August 1971 a policy of arrest and imprisonment without trial, known as Operation Demetrius, was introduced in Northern Ireland against those suspected of IRA and terrorist involvement.
In December 1975 after four years this policy of internment was finally lifted.
Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Gerry Fitt gives his reaction.
I think the ending of internment will take away the greatest emotional weapon that the provisional IRA ever had.
Gerry Fitt sees this as the first step towards peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. On the future he says,
There will never be any hope of a stable society in Northern Ireland unless there is the involvement of both communities.
Reacting to the ending of internment former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and Chief Executive of the Stormont Government Brian Faulkner says,
Internment was only introduced because there was no other option.
Brian Faulkner oversaw the introduction of internment in 1971.
As part of the agreement to end internment, those who had been detained without trial, the internees, were released from prison.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 5 December 1975. The reporter is John O'Callaghan.
