Concerns both at national and international level about proliferation of dual-use and military goods, as well as associated activities, have increased considerably in recent years. At international level, the concerns have been strongly expressed in the various fora dealing with non-proliferation matters. The 11 September attacks in the US, as well as recent developments in other regions of the world, have inevitably heightened international anxiety in this regard.
Given the increasing focus on the necessity to strengthen strategic export control rules, it is important to ensure that Ireland's export controls are up to the best international standards. In this context, my Department has asked Forfás to undertake a review of our strategic controls systems with a view to recommending how best we can modernise and strengthen them to ensure full compliance with Ireland's international obligations. Economic consultants have been commissioned by Forfás to carry out the review, which has just got under way.
The review will be undertaken in two phases. Phase one of the exercise will involve the consultants interviewing the main parties who have a role or interest in the area of export controls. The objectives of this phase are to define precisely the study objectives, specify the specific issues to which this gives rise and identify the work that is needed to carry out the subsequent full phase two project. In this regard, it is envisaged that phase two will involve a much wider consultation process. I see no reason the reports submitted under the review should not be made publicly available. Clearly, the issues to be identified and any decisions to be made arising from the review will have to await conclusion of the review.
