Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004
13 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the report of the independent review of Ireland’s export licensing system, in regard to military and dual use goods; if he intends to act on the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23654/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe independent review of our export control system was published in July. The review proposes a number of areas in which the Irish export licensing system can be modernised and strengthened, including: introduction of new primary legislation to govern Irish military exports, and filling a number of gaps in the Irish regime; enhanced co-operation between the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the other agencies with a role in the area including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Customs; better use of new technology including introduction of web based export licence applications; greater preventative enforcement through information provision to all actual and potential exporters about the requirements of export licenses, particularly in the case of dual-use goods where exporters might be unaware of their obligations; ensuring that relevant exporters have good in-company compliance procedures rather than detailed item auditing by the authorities; and publication of a annual report on export licensing activity, including an aggregate value of military exports, with this annual report laid before the Oireachtas.
I welcome the constructive proposals contained in the report. Consideration and implementation of the report's recommendations are being addressed within the framework of an inter-agency group, chaired by Forfás, involving the Departments of Enterprise Trade and Employment, Foreign Affairs, Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Defence, Justice, Equality and Law Reform together with the Revenue Commissioners.
