Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the three Senators for their contributions to the debate and join them in thanking the officials from my Department who have worked very hard on this complex legislation.

I agree with Senator Crowe that it is important that Ireland has a robust and comprehensive export control regime given that the technology we are producing and exporting is getting more and more advanced every year. I thank Senator Ahearn for his remarks. I will relay his comments on work permit issues to my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond. The Senator also raised issues for the attention of the Department of Justice. I thank Senator Gavan for his remarks and for his support of the Bill. I note his other remarks but would point out that export control for military equipment applies to all destinations. Such controls are independent of country-specific EU sanctions.

The Bill, as the Senator knows and as he acknowledged, in fairness to hin, relates to the export of dual-use and military items. We do not have a tradition of implementing unilateral trade restrictions here. Under EU sanctions since the start of the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the export of all dual-use items to Russia was prohibited.We have the capacity to react to things that are within the scope of the Bill. As regards Shannon Airport, the primary responsibility for that regulation lies with the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952.

I acknowledge the Senator's support for the Bill, as well as the work of his colleague, Deputy O'Reilly, at committee. I am happy to work with the Senator and his team on amendments within the scope of the Bill between now and Committee Stage.