Govt plans export controls on military goods

The Government has approved the drafting of new legislation in the area of export controls for military goods.

Minister for Trade and Commerce Michael Ahern announced the decision today.

The proposed new legislation, as recommended by the Forfas review, provides for the introduction of new controls on arms brokering and on the provision of certain types of technical assistance.

Existing legislation will be also up-dated to provide for among other things increased penalties for non-compliance with export control legislation and for the statutory right for the inspection and audit of companies that export military goods.

“The introduction of this new legislation ensures that Ireland meets its EU and international obligations in full and equally ensures its procedures are not overly restrictive as to make Ireland an unattractive location by international standards for mobile activity in legitimate industries,” Minister Ahern said.

Minister Ahern said the drafting of the new legislation has now commenced and he hopes to publish the Bill later in the year.