Dr. Eamonn Cahill:

We are very conscious of the diversity in the exporting population here in Ireland. As the Senator rightly identified, the SMEs have particular issues.

The biggest issue for SMEs is becoming aware that their items may be within the scope of the regulation. The burden of applying for a licence is minimal. We go to great lengths to help companies to navigate through the application process and so forth. Over the past year or so, we have put a bit of effort and resources into greater outreach, focusing specifically on the sector. We produced an online five-minute video and we also have a booklet, which I hope is written in relatively plain English, to help companies to come to terms with how they may be impacted.

I was asked about the number of companies. It is very much those in the high-tech ICT space that are exporting outside the EU. Most of the items can move freely within the Single Market. Indeed, there are provisions that essentially white-list a number of key markets, including those of the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and so forth. There are many measures we can bring to the attention of SMEs that will greatly reduce the overheads and burden. Even where they do have to apply for a licence, there is a relatively straightforward process from their perspective. We have an online system. The company does a once-off registration and then it just uploads the relevant information on a case-by-case basis, or as each export comes up.