Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Irish companies that are selling into Saudi Arabia are predominantly in areas like milk products, technology, medical products, oil and so on, and Irish services are also significant. Overall, the trade is about €1.5 billion into Saudi Arabia from Ireland, which is probably supporting 1,000 jobs in Ireland. It is a significant market for many of the companies we were just talking about, which are growing in, for example, the agri-engineering sector, and have technologies that are relevant.

In terms of dual use goods, the licensing in my Department is very carefully monitored and involves discussions with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in areas where there might be particular issues of concern. If the Deputy has concerns about individual licensing arrangements, he should certainly bring them to the attention of the Department. That is very closely monitored and we are very careful to ensure there is no abuse of the obligations in that regard.

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