Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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33. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation given recent high-profile human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, including the beheading of 47 persons in a single day, and given that Ireland exported €23.4 million worth of military items to Saudi Arabia between 2011 and 2014, if he will review the export of military items to Saudi Arabia through the appropriate channels. [2020/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for controls on the export of military items from Ireland. Under Irish law, military export licences must be sought in respect of the goods and technology, and any components thereof, listed in the Annex to the Control of Exports (Goods and Technology) Order, S.I. 216 of 2012 which reflects the EU Common Military List.

Export licences to a value of €23.4m were granted under this legislation between 2011 and 2014 in respect of exports to Saudi Arabia. In most cases the licences were issued in respect of exports to systems integrators in countries other than Saudi Arabia and where these goods were ultimately re-exported in finished products to Saudi Arabia. Such re-exports are licensed by the relevant national licensing authority.

The licence values may not reflect the value of goods actually exported under those licences. Companies may include the value of expected repeat business into their licence applications and this business may not occur. Hence, the value of exports actually made under those licences may be less than the face value permitted under the export licence.

All export licence applications are subject to rigorous scrutiny, and are considered in the light of the spirit and objectives of the 2008 EU Common Position on Arms Exports.

Proposed exports of military products to Saudi Arabia, as with all other destinations, are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. My officials are in regular contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on export licensing issues. They consult with that Department in respect of all military export licence applications involving Saudi Arabia. My officials seek observations on any foreign policy concerns that may arise in respect of a proposed export; such factors are subject to review in the light of developments in a given region. Any observations which may arise from this examination are considered in the final assessment of any licence application.

Individual licences are valid for the export of a specific quantity of goods to a specific end-user within a twelve month period. A new application must be made for any exports above that provided for on the original export licence. All new and repeat licence applications are subject to the full export licensing scrutiny process.

The EU has a range of sanctions in place in respect of countries engaged in conflicts. All licence applications are considered having regard to these measures. Sanctions can include arms embargoes and various restrictive measures including prohibitions on the provision of targeted goods and services. There are currently no such sanctions in place in respect of Saudi Arabia.