Exporters with military links face audits

GOVERNMENT authorities will be given the power to inspect and audit companies which export military-related equipment under new laws to be introduced later this year.

The legislation is being introduced after a Government report last year found numerous loopholes and inadequacies in the current system for controlling military-related exports from Ireland.

According to the latest figures, Ireland has exported over €26 billion in military-related products to dozens of countries since the coalition Government first came to power in 1997.