Govt exporting €1bn worth of military goods every year

Amnesty International is reportedly accusing the Irish Government of exporting more than €1bn worth of military equipment every year.

Official figures show the Government granted licences for the export of €35m worth of military goods last year.

However, another €2.4bn worth of "dual-use" technology, which can be used for both civilian and military purposes, was also exported by Irish firms.

Reports this morning say Amnesty International and the Green Party are claiming €1bn of this "dual-use" technology ended up being used for military purposes because of lax and toothless checking procedures by the Government.