Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

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

Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill 2016: Discussion

4:00 pm

Ms Emma Jane Joyce:

There are specific definitions in the cluster munitions Act. It references manufacture of cluster munitions. Cluster munitions are defined in terms of the number of bomblets. There are precise definitions associated with the Act. In addition, any dual use components are excluded. Even with those precise definitions, because of the secretive nature of the defence industry it can be difficult to get the necessary information to establish whether a company has exposure. We err on the side of caution. We operate to a longer list than that of many other entities that prohibit cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines for that reason. We want to ensure that we are well clear of what is required by the legislation.