It is accepted that a good proportion of IRA prisoners, especially those who have served long sentences, do not intend to reinvolve themselves in IRA activity when they are released. Some, however, appear to count the days to their release with the prospect of immediate reinvolvement in the "armed struggle".
In the opening months of the last ceasefire, the then Fianna Fail-Labour government embarked on a comprehensive early-release programme of the 55 IRA men then in Portlaoise Prison. Some of the releases worried the Garda, whose surveillance suggested that a number of released prisoners were quickly back on IRA active service.
Surveillance on one man showed he had contact with Ed O'Brien, the Co Wexford man who blew himself up while carrying a bomb in London in April 1996.
Particular concern was expressed about another man who gardai believed was a danger to security forces on both sides of the Border. This man, according to Garda sources, was released despite a senior garda expressing grave reservations. According to colleagues, this officer predicted the serious type of offence which the released prisoner would commit. He was proved right within months.
However, most of the released IRA prisoners were regarded as minor figures. Some became involved in vigilantism against drug-dealers in areas of Dublin, Cork and Co Kerry.
The main Garda concern during the last ceasefire, however, was that prisoners were being released when the IRA was still making plans for renewed violence.
During the last ceasefire, while the then government was sanctioning early prisoner releases, the IRA was known by gardai to be testing mortar bombs, training and recruiting members, carrying out robberies and "targeting" members of the security forces in the North.
The only delay in the last early-release programme occurred when an IRA unit shot dead a postal worker, Mr Frank Kerr, during a raid on a Newry sorting office in November 1994. The then minister for justice, Ms Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, delayed the anticipated Christmas release of over 20 IRA prisoners, although all were released by the incoming rainbow coalition.
According to Garda sources, the same situation now applies where prisoners are being released when the IRA is still preparing for armed activity.
It is understood the IRA is still in an operational mode and there are even concerns that this ceasefire might not last as long as the last one.
While the Government is unlikely to move as quickly as it did on prisoner releases this time, it is clear that more early releases will follow from next month.
The arguments for early releases which held in the previous ceasefire still hold. The emptying of the high-security wings of Portlaoise Prison of paramilitary prisoners would greatly ease overcrowding. The clearing of the IRA wing would provide space for serious criminals.
There is also a notion that early releases can create a mood towards peace within the IRA and among its supporters. There will be some pressure on the IRA from the families of members still facing lengthy sentences to preserve its ceasefire to bring forward their release dates.
The IRA's political wing, Sinn Fein, has said the early release of prisoners is one of the main "confidence-building measures" which would help maintain the renewed ceasefire.
It remains to be seen what attitude the British government will adopt. However, there have already been indications from the Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, that Britain will consider early releases if it can be satisfied the IRA is genuine about ending its campaign.
One of the most difficult issues on both sides of the Border will be how to deal with those IRA prisoners still awaiting trial on serious offences. Almost half the 40 prisoners on the IRA wing in Portlaoise are on remand awaiting trial. About 70 prisoners in the IRA wing of the Maze Prison, outside Lisburn, Co Antrim, are also on remand, many facing charges that could bring life terms.
There is also confusion about the situation of IRA prisoners in Britain, most serving long sentences. It is expected that the prisoners who want to be repatriated to Portlaoise will be transferred but it is unclear what will then happen.
Under the transfer-of-prisoners treaty between the two states, prisoners should serve the same length of jail term when they are sent home. In the case of six IRA members sentenced two months ago for bombing offences in London, there are release dates of 2032.