Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
403. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is concerned at reports (details supplied) of Irish manufactured components having found their way into armaments used by the Russian military; if he will describe the nature and scope of the investigation referred to by the Taoiseach on his recent visit to Kyiv; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36857/23]
View answerIreland continues to stand with the people of Ukraine and condemns Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine. The use of such military aggression should have no place in the twenty-first century. Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to choose its own foreign and security policy path remains unwavering.
The EU is responding to Russia’s illegal actions with unity, firmness, and determination. The EU has to date adopted eleven packages of sanctions in response Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. These sanctions are broad-ranging and designed to degrade Russia’s ability to continue its military aggression against Ukraine.
My Department has responsibility for the implementation of the trade measures in the sanctions packages. The Trade measures of these sanctions are sophisticated and targeted. For example, they prohibit the export of goods and technology from the EU to Russia which might contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement, or the development of its defence and security sector. They also prohibit the import from Russia into the EU of certain goods which generate significant revenues for Russia thereby enabling its actions in Ukraine. My Department is fully committed to the comprehensive implementation of these measures.
I am concerned about reports of potential Irish components recovered from the wreckage of armaments deployed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. My officials are working to establish the facts of the matter and in particular, whether any breach of sanctions has occurred. EU sanctions regulations have direct effect in all Member States of the EU, and, as such, are legally binding on all natural and legal persons in Ireland. Private companies, therefore, have an obligation to ensure that they are in full compliance with these new measures. A natural or legal person who contravenes a provision of an EU sanctions regulation shall be guilty of an offence and liable to prosecution.
In the first instance, My officials are working to establish the provenance of the recovered items and We are working closely with the Ukrainian authorities to establish the origin of the components and the distribution channels from which they were acquired by the producer of the armaments. My Department is also actively working with Conflict Armament Research, which is funded by the EU. As the items in question are in circulation in many jurisdictions, they may have been re-sold a number of times before being acquired by bad actors. To this end, my officials are engaging with the companies concerned, as well our EU and international partners.
