System to control arms exports will be revamped

AFTER years of defending the Government’s procedures for controlling Ireland’s lethal military exports, Tánaiste Mary Harney yesterday conceded the system needs to be revamped.

In a complete reversal of policy, Ms Harney said a Government report, to be published in the coming days, had concluded Ireland was not in compliance with EU commitments.

"We have to fill the gaps in the Irish system, including meeting existing EU commitments in relation to the control of brokering activities," she told the Dáil yesterday.

Arms exports were valued at €31.9 million last year while dual-use exports restricted goods with a military use were valued at a significant €2.2 billion.

Several critical reports from Amnesty International and peace group Action from Ireland have highlighted the failures in the Government's system.

Exports from Irish firms have been persistently linked to some of the world's most lethal weapons, including Apache attack helicopters and patriot missiles.

In addition, the Irish Examiner last year revealed how Hewlett Packard in Galway played a vital role in the US and French nuclear weapons programmes.

Ms Harney promised new legislation as soon as possible. "It will have to be brought up to best practice internationally.

"In particular they (report consultants) are suggesting that we need to strengthen the legal base for establishing and enforcing the controls in Ireland," she said.

Although she had not brought her plans to Government yet, Ms Harney said she didn't envisage any difficulties.

Amnesty International, which today launches a new report into Europe's and Ireland's arms trade, welcomed Ms Harney's commitment.

"There is a real opportunity to show leadership here and this is a good starting point," said Jim Loughran of Amnesty.

The latest Government report, compiled by economic consultants Fitzpatrick Associates, is the second part of a review which last year identified numerous gaps in the Irish regulatory regime.