Vol. 474 No. 5
20 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the AFRI LINKS report which states that his Department has approved military licences issued by the Department of Tourism and Trade; whether this is in contradiction of official policy as contained in the White Paper on Foreign Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25271/96]
The White Paper on Foreign Policy makes clear that the Government will ensure that vigilance is exercised in preventing the export from Ireland of arms or dual-use goods which would give rise to proliferation concerns. I am aware of the contents of the AFRI LINKS report and it will be recalled that this report has already been the subject of a debate on the Adjournment on 3 December 1996 (vol. 472, cols. 551-554). In that debate the Minister for Tourism and Trade outlined the current criteria and procedures for the granting of licences for the export of military goods and he made clear that the EU common criteria on arms exports are important factors in the input of my Department to the decisions made by the Department of Tourism and Trade. I refer the Deputy to the record of the House.
As part of the licensing procedure, my Department is consulted by the Department of Tourism and Trade on each individual application for a licence to export military goods. I am fully satisfied that this effective consultation procedure ensures complete adherence to Government policy on disarmament and non-proliferation in the operation of Ireland's export control system.
