Concerns raised after €24m surge in value of Irish military exports

A €24m surge in the value of weapons and military items exported to foreign countries has prompted concern about Ireland sending goods to nations with poor human rights records.

There was a 39% increase in the value of military licences issued last year while dual-use goods, which can have a military-end function, continue to be exported to Israel, Afghanistan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia among places.

End-of-year figures obtained by the Irish Examiner from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment reveal last year that Irish-based companies using 95 military licences exported €86m in military goods. This was compared with €62m in 2013.