Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, following his reply on this issue, he is concerned at the large volume of arms exports from the EU to the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15381/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government strongly supports the process of developing strict controls on arms and works actively to promote the objective of strengthening arms controls globally, particularly to areas of concern such as the Middle East. The Programme for Government commits us to supporting a binding and comprehensive global treaty on the arms trade, covering all weapons and ammunition. To this end, Ireland is working hard at the United Nations towards our goal of achieving such a binding and comprehensive treaty.

In order to exercise the highest possible level of 'responsibility, transparency and restraint' with regards to arms exports and to encourage other States that export weapons to do the same, the EU agreed a legally binding Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP in December 2008. This defines common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment and ensures that every application for a licence to export items on the EU Common Military List is assessed against eight criteria.

These criteria take into consideration a number of factors including matters such as respect for the international obligations and commitments of Member States, in particular the sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council or the European Union; respect for human rights in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country of international humanitarian law; the internal situation in the country of final destination – existence of tension or armed conflict; preservation of regional peace, security and stability; national security of Member States and of friendly and allied countries; terrorism and respect for international law; the risk of diversion, either within the buyer country or by re-export; the compatibility of the particular equipment with the level of development of the country in question.

I am satisfied that the EU Common Position ensures that the export of military technology and equipment from the EU to the Middle East and elsewhere is carried out with the highest possible standard of conduct and I will cooperate with my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to ensure that Ireland continues to implement fully the Council Common Position.