Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State.I commend him and his Department on their work in bringing forth this Bill. Often the transposition of European law into Irish law can take many years. I am sure all Members have seen legislation brought in to transpose directives made six or seven years previously. With this legislation, we are not transposing the directive but are giving full effect to an EU regulation. To be fair to the Department and the Minister, the regulation to which we are giving full effect only came into force in September 2021. They are to be commended for drafting detailed and complicated legislation thoroughly and quickly. As has been explained, the purpose of the regulation and this legislation is to ensure that in reference to dual-use products or technologies, meaning those that can be used for an orthodox civilian purpose and for a military or security purpose, powers reside in member state governments to authorise or prohibit the sale of such products.

Ireland does not have a history of arms manufacturing. However, Ireland is developing as a significant manufacturer of advanced technology. Such technology may have a dual purpose or a dual use. With that in mind, it is essential we give full effect to the regulation through this legislation. There is no doubt the world has become a much more dangerous place. Ireland and the EU need to take a consistent and considered approach on the matter. The sale of goods that might end up in the wrong hands and have power to greatly damage human rights around the world is as serious an issue as we have discussed in this House. Export controls are a multilateral global mechanism designed to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, preserve regional stability, prevent terrorism and protect human rights.

The Bill provides a suitable way forward. It will put a suitable structure in place with lists of items and a system of authorisation, particularly in regard to items that have a dual use, giving the Ministers the discretion to ban certain items on the grounds of public security, prevention of terrorism or human rights considerations, and having an adjudication system. That provides the consistent and considered approach we require. I welcome the Bill, which has been carefully drafted and is a robust piece of legislation.