Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently engaged in the preparation of new export control legislation, in line with the recommendations of the 2004 Forfás report and I hope to have a Bill published toward the end of this year. The proposed legislation will update the existing Control of Exports Act, which dates from 1983 and will ensure that Ireland's export controls are in line with best international practice. In this regard, the new legislation will include, for the first time, provision for the regulation of arms brokering activities in Ireland and by Irish citizens abroad. This will enable Ireland to fulfil its obligation under the EU common position on arms brokering, which requires member states to take all the necessary measures to control brokering activities on their territory.

The new legislation will also introduce controls on the provision of certain types of technical assistance and on the transfer by electronic means of certain software and technology. Penalties for non-compliance with export control regulations will be increased and officers of my Department will be given the statutory right to inspect and audit companies that export military goods. This will complement their existing entitlement to inspect companies engaged in the export of dual-use goods.

The new legislation will ensure that Ireland is meeting its EU and international obligations in full. At the same time however, it will create a regulatory environment which does not seek to impede companies engaged in legitimate activities, especially in the highly mobile electronics and ICT sectors.