Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021
55. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the quantity and value of arms and dual use equipment exported by Ireland to Israel each year for the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27875/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a clear commitment to the promotion of Human Rights through business practices and in particular, to rigorously scrutinise all applications for export licences for Military equipment and Dual-use items.
To this end, my Department actively supports and participates in EU and global efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, to support regional security, to prevent terrorism and to protect human rights. The Department operates the highest standards of Export Controls, in accordance with EU law and international best practice.
My Department administers controls on the export of Military equipment from Ireland, in accordance with the European Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment. The list of Military equipment subject to these controls is set out in the Common Military List of the European Union.
My Department is also responsible for licensing the export of Dual-use items 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.
Dual-use items are products and components, including software and technology, that can be used for both civil and military applications. The bulk of Dual-use exports from Ireland are mainstream business ICT products, both hardware and software, (networking, data storage, cybersecurity etc). They are categorised as Dual-use items as a consequence of fact that they make use of strong encryption for security purposes.
In keeping with the commitment in the Programme for Government, all applications for export licences are rigorously scrutinised by my officials, on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the relevant legislation. Each application is reviewed against the eight assessment criteria set out in Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP. Applications also reviewed against any EU Restrictive Measures, such as trade sanctions or arms embargoes, that may be in place in respect of the destination country.
My officials also seek observations from the Department of Foreign Affairs on any foreign policy considerations that may arise with the proposed export.
The table below sets out the quantity and value of Dual-use and Military licences issued for exports from Ireland to Israel over the period 2012 to May 2021. In 2018, the total value of EU Dual-use exports to Israel was approximately €410M and Ireland accounted for 0.8% of this total.
|
Year |
No. Dual-use Licences issued |
Value € |
No. Military Licences issued |
Value € |
|
2012 |
20 |
859,002 |
1 |
39,525 |
|
2013 |
20 |
4,322,465 |
5 |
119,971 |
|
2014 |
21 |
13,939,167 |
2 |
126,637 |
|
2015 |
21 |
2,683,358 |
0 |
0 |
|
2016 |
21 |
4,341,794 |
0 |
0 |
|
Year |
No. Dual-use Licences issued |
Value € |
No. Military Licences issued |
Value € |
|
2017 |
19 |
5,175,210 |
0 |
0 |
|
2018 |
26 |
3,073,005 |
0 |
0 |
|
2019 |
17 |
4,694,796 |
0 |
0 |
|
2020 |
27 |
9,695,735 |
0 |
0 |
|
2021* |
11 |
3,735,405 |
0 |
0 |
*Licences issued up to 20th May 2021
