Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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71. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on proposed changes to the governance structure of the European Investment Bank that would allow the bank to lend to the armaments industries; and his views on the matter. [31483/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware that, during the recent appearance of the Mr Andrew McDowell, Vice President of the EIB, before the Select Committee on Budgetary Oversight, the Deputy raised the issue of the European Council's request to the EIB that it examine ways of stepping-up its contribution in support of the EU's Security and Defence Agenda. As Mr McDowell indicated in his response, the issue is currently being assessed within the EIB.

The current eligibility for lending criteria of the EIB preclude lending to the armaments industry unless the technologies being supported are dual-use, that is they must also have consumer or commercial applications. Any change to those lending criteria would be a matter for the EIB. Were any changes being considered, I would fully expect that Ireland's views would be taken into account during consideration at Board of Director or Board of Governor levels within the Bank. Finally, and in relation to any proposed changes to the governance structure of the EIB in relation to lending to the armaments industry, I am not aware of any such proposals.