Arms trade ‘funding universities research’

IRISH universities are becoming increasingly involved in research sponsored by some of the world’s largest arms companies, a report to be published today reveals.

According to the report compiled by peace group Action from Ireland (AfrI) three of Ireland's leading third-level institutions have research links to BAE Systems, the world's largest arms manufacturer.

University College Cork, the University of Limerick and NUI Galway are all named as having extensive research interests which are either military related or are directly funded by arms companies.

Outlining the level of academic involvement in defence-related research the report warns that: "Forging such close research links with many of Europe's leading arms companies will result in Irish expertise, skill and knowledge benefiting the military products of these companies."

AfrI spokesman Joe Murray said Ireland was increasingly losing its reputation as a neutral country due to its involvement in arms-related industries and the continued use of Shannon Airport by Gulf-bound US troops.

"Ireland in the past would have a clear reputation in terms of its research interests. It is very concerning to see that outflanked by increasing links to the arms trade," he said.

"The Government should be concerned about this but they haven't shown much leadership in areas like military exports which they are in direct control of themselves. Nevertheless we believe they should act so that at least the third level sector can be seen to be free of connections to the arms trade," Mr Murray said.

The AfrI report singles out the Department of Electronic and Computer engineering at the University of Limerick for particular criticism.

Report author John Curran said the department was part of a high-level research group involving the world's leading providers of military hardware. According to the AfrI report the Aerospace Research Control Network (ACRnet) of which Limerick is a member, is primarily concerned with weapons' development and manufacture.

Major arms trade players including BAE systems, GEC Marconi and the British Ministry of Defence are fellow ACRnet members. Mr Curran said his investigation into the third-level sector led him to believe very few research institutions were not connected to the arms trade.

The report comes as the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment evaluates its control system for the export of military and dual use goods.

Afri's report will be launched at 7.00pm tonight at a conference entitled Is Ireland a Democracy, in NUI Maynooth.