Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the issue of arms sales, Ireland does not have an arms industry. Some products are sold in Ireland that have been described as having a duel use, but I am not aware of any sales of products used by the Saudi Arabian military. There was a discussion over lunch yesterday, and a number of ministers spoke about the approaches taken in their countries. Some do not sell arms to countries that are involved in wars while the wars are ongoing. That applies to Saudi Arabia in this case. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Federica Mogherini, made it clear that she was not able to achieve consensus across the EU on an arms embargo because there was no agreement on the issue. Ireland has to focus on areas in which it can have an impact. We have focused on humanitarian assistance and are trying to support a talks process that could lead to a lasting political solution. Hopefully Irish aid agencies and Irish funds can play a part in the long and difficult process of rebuilding Yemen, in time. However, until there is a ceasefire such action will be impossible.

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