Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that secondary school pupils from a school (details supplied) in Co. Laois were able to set themselves up as arms dealers here and were able to broker an electro-stun gun and leg irons from their school as part of a school project; the steps he will take to bring in a system of regulation for the trade of arms and items of the nature described; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18185/06]

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the incident to which the Deputy refers.

Work is now underway in my Department to bring in a system of regulation for the trade of arms and items of the nature described. The Heads of the new Export Control Bill is now complete and consultations with other Government Departments are currently taking place. I expect this process to conclude shortly at which point I will be bringing it to Government for approval. Allowing for the formalities of drafting the legal texts, I hope to bring the new legislation before the Houses of the Oireachtas in the autumn.

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 practise. 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.