State exports over €2bn in military hardware
The figures come as the Government prepares to publish a Forfás report into Ireland’s arms industry, which focuses on deficiencies in the export licensing control system.
According to the export licensing unit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 81 licences for the export of specific weaponry-related goods were authorised while 888 dual-use licences for goods which can have a military use were issued.
In addition, 36 global dual-use licences allowed restricted goods to be distributed worldwide with a single licence.
Irish arms exports this year were valued at €31.9m while dual-use exports were valued at a significant €2.2 billion.
While dual-use licences are up by almost 200 this year, the actual estimated value of the licences is down by more than €2bn from €4.6bn. However, the difference is accounted for by more than €2bn worth of computer parts which previously required dual-use licences but were delisted this year.
Anti-arms trade and human rights groups called on the Government to take heed of next month’s Forfás report and take action to improve monitoring of Ireland’s arms trade.
Joe Murray of peace group Action from Ireland (AfrI) linked the arms-related exports to a perceived decline in neutrality as US troops continue to pass through Shannon Airport.
“The continuing increase in Ireland’s military export budget is a deplorable development at a time when weapons and war are wreaking havoc in many parts of the world. It represents a further militarisation of the economy and another departure from the positive elements of our neutrality,” he said.
“In the context of the Government’s complicity in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, this comes as depressing news for anyone concerned with building a more peaceful and just world,” added Mr Murray.
Amnesty International, which recently published a highly critical report on the loopholes that exist in the country’s export control system, called on the Government to take affirmative action during its presidency of the EU next year.
“This whole issue of arms’ control depends on political will and that’s what really has been missing to date both nationally and internationally,” said Amnesty arms trade expert Jim Loughran.
A spokesperson for the Department of Enterprise said the Government had responded to such concerns by commissioning the Forfás review into the department’s export control system.
The first part of the review, published earlier this year, identified gaps in the Irish regulatory regime, which could be used by companies to supply military equipment.
It also found there was little end-monitoring of export agreements and acknowledges there are limits to what can be done to track components.
But perhaps most worryingly, it said arms brokers may be attracted to Ireland as new laws in Britain will seek to control them.
