Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2018
211. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the January to June 2017 summary data publication in regard to exports under the Control of Exports Act 2008 published in 2017 was subsequently withdrawn and amended to show €12 million of military exports as opposed to €132 million of military exports; and if so, the reason therefor. [44161/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for controls on the export of military items from Ireland. Under Irish law, military export licences must be sought in respect of the export from Ireland of military goods and technology, and any components thereof, listed in the EU Common Military List.
I publish an annual report as required under the Control of Exports Act 2008 which includes information on military exports. The objective of publishing such a report is to provide the public with a continuing enhanced level of transparency about exports of controlled goods and services.
To provide more regular information about exports of controlled goods in between the publication of annual reports, my Department publishes preliminary, summary data on the Department’s website on a six monthly basis.
The preliminary value of military licences originally published on the Department’s website in respect of the period from January to June 2017 was €132 million. A subsequent review of this figure identified licences which were issued in respect of temporary exports, for maintenance only, to another EU Member State. While temporary export for such purposes requires to be licensed, as no export was ultimately involved, the total for the period from January to June 2017 was subsequently revised down to €12 million.
