Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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18. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and value of dual-use export licence applications, in respect of end-users in Israel, approved by his Department by quarter to date in 2025; the number refused in each quarter to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50786/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I wish Deputy Connolly well in her campaign in the weeks ahead. She is a brave lady.

As the national competent authority for export controls, my responsibilities centre around the control of exports of dual-use and military items under EU and national legislation. These controls are administered by the Department in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a European Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items. The primary purpose of export controls is not to block trade or exports but to enable the free movement of legitimate goods while ensuring that certain sensitive categories are subject to appropriate regulation. These controls are designed to manage risk, uphold international peace and security and ensure Ireland’s compliance with its international obligations.

To date in 2025, a total of nine individual dual-use licences have been issued in respect of end users in Israel. Four were issued in quarter 1 with a maximum value of €797,000. In quarter 2, three were issued with a maximum value of €93,000. To date in quarter 3, two licences have been issued with a maximum value of €172,000. There has been one refusal to date in 2025 in respect of an end user in Israel, which was refused in quarter 1. The bulk of dual-use exports from Ireland, including those to Israel, are mainstream business ICT products, both hardware and software - networking, data storage and cybersecurity. They are categorised as dual-use items because they incorporate strong encryption for ICT security purposes.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State for her good wishes.

Exports of dual-use goods have increased phenomenally, which might be good or bad depending on the oversight arrangements we have. In 2023, the value of dual-use exports to Israel spiked to nearly seven times what it was in the previous year. It came down slightly but remained high in 2024. The value of dual-use goods exported in 2022 was €10.7 million. In 2023, as I indicated, it was €70.4 million, and, in 2024, it was €64.3 million. On the figures the Minister of State gave - I do not have the reply in front of me - there seems to be a significant reduction in that figure, which is welcome in a sense. I will look at the figures carefully.

The Minister of State said one application was refused. Will she clarify, as I did not quite catch it, the basis on which it was refused? Respect for human rights and international humanitarian law in the destination country is one of the criteria - I will come back to the others - that were spelled out by the former Minister, Simon Coveney.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have exact details on the reasons the application was refused. I will look for clarity on that and furnish the Deputy with the details. There is extensive engagement between my officials and exporters should any questions or concerns arise regarding any application for any destination, including Israel. If, after engagement, there are any outstanding concerns that the goods being exported will not be used for the stated end use or by the specified end user, as detailed in the application, or if the exporter does not provide enough information on the intended end use for my officials to make an informed decision, the application for a licence is denied. In applying export controls in a robust and transparent way, my Department ensures legitimate business transactions by reputable Irish traders are not damaged in any way, while ensuring exports of controlled goods are thoroughly risk assessed in the context of ongoing conflicts, diversion of goods and humanitarian considerations.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I respect the Minister of State's bona fides and I know she will get back to me. In 2023, our exports of dual-use goods to Israel spiked by seven times, at a time when, in my opinion, genocide was happening and has continued to unfold before our eyes. Back in February 2024, the then Minister, Simon Coveney, said the Department of trade and the Department of Foreign Affairs "review all dual-use export licence applications against the eight assessments set out in [the relevant] EU Council Common Position". These include respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, and the risk of internal repression, in the country of final destination. Certainly, Israel does not comply with that. Other criteria include the internal situation in the country of final destination with respect to tensions or armed conflicts, risks posed to the territory of neighbouring countries and risk of diversion of goods for undesirable uses. They are four of the eight criteria laid down under the EU policy. Can the Minister of State tell me more specifically who carried out the analysis of the licences given and where I can see that analysis?

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I reiterate that I will ask the Department, insofar as it can, to furnish the Deputy with much greater detail on the refusal I indicated and the reasons for it. My officials seek real-time geopolitical observations from the Department of foreign affairs in respect of all applications, and those views inform the final decision to grant or deny a licence. The assessment process is rigorous. The officials carry out a series of checks to ensure, insofar as they can, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end user for the stated end purpose and will not be used or diverted for any other purpose. Ireland remains firmly committed to supporting open, free and responsible trade within a multilateral rules-based international system while ensuring global security and humanitarian concerns are not compromised. Strong export controls are essential to preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, protecting regional security and stability, combating terrorism and protecting human rights.

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I take the opportunity to wish Deputy Connolly the very best of luck in her campaign in the next couple of weeks. I wish her very well.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Go raibh maith agat.