Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 15 October 2025

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach

Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals

2:00 am

Photo of Alice-Mary HigginsAlice-Mary Higgins (Independent)

To go back to the question again, it is another part of the tracking. Are there measures in place around tracking the flow of weapons through third countries? We know there have been situations and we heard from the Ukrainian ambassador who attended the committee on foreign affairs this week. She spoke about the concern Ukraine had about Russia's ongoing access to weapons through third countries. Is it the case in terms of export licences for weapons production in particular countries and simply by the fact a larger amount of weaponry is being produced that it creates a risk? How is that risk being planned for in terms of increasing the global supply of weapons? We know, for example, drones that have been exported to Turkey from the EU were then found to have been used in Syria. There are multiple instances of weapons developed and purchased by one country eventually finding their way elsewhere. What are the tracking mechanisms?

I know Mr. Knauer mentioned there are checks. I have seen these loan agreements before and there are checks about financial repayment. I see Mr. Knauer is nodding his head. The checks that are largely in place are financial checks but what checks are currently in place in terms of human rights and the ultimate use of weapons?

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