Vol. 458 No. 3
20 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to update the provisions of the Control of Exports Act, 1983, in order to incorporate the EU regulations and Council decision regarding export controls on dual use goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16908/95]
The EU Regulation and Council Decision of 19 December 1994 regarding the control of exports of dual-use goods came into force on 1 July 1995 in all EU member states. My Department, however, was in a position to begin operating the new licensing system in accordance with the EU procedures from 1 March last, the original date set for implementation.
The new system represents a considerable liberalisation of our former national export control system by providing for the abolition of most of the controls on exports to other EU member states and to our major markets outside the EU. It focuses on the central objective of preventing the transfer of strategic goods to countries whose behaviour is a threat to peace and stability.
