Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs, further to his response to Question No. 2 of 6 November 2005, Ireland's position and intention with respect to the discussions he references as ongoing in Europe on the reinforcement of the EU code of conduct on arms exports. [39277/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to Question No. 2 of 6 October 2005 in which I made reference to ongoing discussions on the possible reinforcement of the EU code of conduct on arms exports.

The review of the code of conduct was initiated during Ireland's Presidency of the EU and takes account of developments since the code entered into force in 1998. Several proposals have been made to strengthen and update the code, including a proposal to reinforce the status of the code by transforming it into an EU common position, which would be legally binding. Ireland is in favour of such a move.

The examination of the code of conduct by officials from member states is nearing finalisation at working group level. We believe that this, the first review of the code of conduct, is a very necessary and important undertaking for the EU and we have been supportive of efforts to strengthen the code.

There has also been discussion on a so-called "toolbox" which will consist of a set of measures to be applied to a country which was recently subject to an arms embargo. This essentially involves a much greater level of information sharing and enhanced transparency between EU member states concerning exports of military goods and equipment from the EU to a country following the lifting of the embargo.