Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2018
25. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of licences for the export of arms or dual-use items that were denied in 2017; and if any of the licences denied were for the export of arms or dual-use items to Saudi Arabia. [42702/18]
View answerMy Department is responsible for controls on the export of military and dual use items from Ireland.
Under Irish law, military export licences must be sought in respect of the goods and technology, and any components thereof, listed in the Annex to the Control of Exports (Brokering Activities, Goods and Technology) Order, S.I. Number 356 of 2018 which reflects the EU Common Military List.
My Department is also responsible for licensing the export of dual-use items outside the EU pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No. 428/2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items.
All export licence applications, whether for Dual-Use or Military Goods are subject to rigorous scrutiny. My officials seek observations on any foreign policy concerns that may arise in respect of a proposed export; such factors are subject to review in the light of developments in a given region and having regard to the 2008 EU Common Position on Arms Exports. Any observations which may arise from this examination are considered in the final assessment of any licence application.
My Department may refuse an export licence, following consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other EU and Non-EU export licensing authorities, as appropriate.
In 2017, two dual-use and two military export licence applications were refused as published in the 2017 Report under the Control of Exports Act, 2008. Details are not published on a per country basis for reasons of maintaining international relations. These refusals were made on the grounds of considerations about the intended end-use, the risk of diversion and EU sanctions.
Dual-use items account for the vast bulk of licence applications received by my Department. In 2017, dual-use licences were issued to the value of €3.2 billion; the total value of military licences issued was €25 million.
No licences have been issued by my Department for military classified goods in respect of Saudi Arabia since 2013.
