Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a Bill to regulate Irish weapons exports will be introduced and the resources he will allocate for the implementation and enforcement of any new Bill's provisions. [31653/06]

Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government approved the General Scheme of the Control of Exports Bill on 19 July. The Bill is currently with the Parliamentary Counsel's Office for drafting and I expect it to be published by the end of this year.

The proposed Bill will update the provisions of the existing Control of Exports Act, which dates from 1983, and will bring Ireland into line with best international practice.

My Department cooperates closely with other Government Departments, in particular the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Revenue Commissioners, to ensure that exporting companies are in full compliance with Ireland's export control system. We also work closely with the exporting companies themselves to keep them informed of all new developments, including the introduction of new legislation, and to promote effective internal compliance procedures.