Frequently Asked Questions on Export Policy

How does the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment ensure that Dual-Use and military goods are not authorised for export to countries with poor human rights records?

The Irish export control system is implemented in a manner that fully meets Ireland's obligations arising from membership of the EU and other international export control fora. The promotion and protection of human rights is at the heart of Irish foreign policy and, as such, is a significant factor which is taken into account when applications are being assessed. The Department of Foreign Affairs is consulted on military licence applications and on certain sensitive Dual-Use licence applications.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment provides statistics on the number of licences issued for the export of military goods. Does this not conflict with the often quoted statement that "Ireland is not a producer of arms"?

Ireland is not a producer of arms in the normal sense of the word. In an economy such as ours with its high technology base, goods will be manufactured and exported which have both civilian and military applications ("Dual-Use goods") and even a small number that have purely military application. Some of the high tech material produced here could, if it fell into the wrong hands, be used in the development, production or delivery of weapons of mass destruction.

Exports of military goods and of controlled Dual-Use goods are only authorised following careful case-by-case examination of their consistency with our international obligations and foreign policy objectives.

How can the Department ensure that military goods that are authorised for export are not subsequently diverted to regions of conflict?

Any exporter based in Ireland who wishes to export military goods must obtain an export licence. An end-use certificate, which details the end-use to which the goods will be put as well as the end-user of the goods, must be produced in all cases. (This requirement does not apply in the case of exports of shotguns for personal/sporting use; a separate control system operated by the Garda Síochána applies to such exports).

Does the Department produce a list of countries to which exports of Dual-Use and military goods are prohibited?

Details of the countries in respect of which UN/EU trade sanctions apply are contained on this Web Site.

Exports of Dual-Use and military goods to countries not subject to embargo are considered on a case-by-case basis having regard to the exporter's previous contacts with the Department, the strategic capability of the product, the end-user and the country of final destination.

In assessing applications for licences to export military goods does the Department take account of the criteria agreed by the EU in 1991 and 1992 with regard to the export of conventional arms?

The criteria agreed at the European Council in 1991 and 1992 with regard to the export of conventional arms are factors which must be taken into account when assessing individual licence applications. There is no implication, however, that the presence of even the slightest concern on foot of any of these factors requires an EU Member State to deny all licences to that country, regardless of the item in question. The nature and potential strategic use of the goods for which a licence is sought is of utmost significance when an application is being considered.