Firms got licences for ‘military’exports

IRISH-based firms were last year granted licences to export €4.2bn worth of parts that can be used for military purposes.

The licences were issued to allow companies to export mostly hi-tech components that are marked down as being for civilian use but are capable of driving an array of military and state security hardware.

The €4.2m figure was confirmed by the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment in answer to a parliamentary question by Labour TD Michael D Higgins.