Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he has taken to ensure clear monitoring and transparent scrutiny of Irish based companies or individuals involved in manufacturing or exporting military and security equipment in order to provide to the relevant authorities complete information regarding the locations and identity of middlemen and end users of such equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20400/07]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland imposes controls on the export of military and dual use goods and services in line with our support for a stable, secure and cooperative international environment and our full commitment to disarmament and arms control. We work closely, in this regard, with our fellow EU member states and with our partner countries in the international export control regimes.

Export controls are imposed on both finished products and on components and also on technical services associated with the controlled goods. All applications for export licences are considered in accordance with the criteria set out in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports which includes respect for human rights in the country of destination and the preservation of regional peace, security and stability.

The Government continues to be committed to ensuring that Ireland's export control system is in line with best international practice. I expect that the Control of Exports Bill, which was published in February 2007 and passed through the Seanad on 1st March, will be re-activated with a view to enactment during the current Dail session.

This legislation will, inter alia, provide for the submission of an annual report to the Oireachtas on Ireland's export control system. The Annual Report will contain information on the licensed values and actual exports of controlled goods by product category and country of final destination. Among other things, this Bill also provides for substantially increased penalties of up to €10 million or 5 years imprisonment for breaches of export control, enhanced inspection and audit powers for officers of the Department and the introduction of controls on brokering and technical assistance activities and on intangible transfers of technology.