Written answers
Wednesday, 12 July 2023
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Trade Data
Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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100. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide, in tabular form for each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, the number of arms export licences granted; the value of licensed arms exports; a breakdown of the type of arms exported; the destinations of those exports from Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34421/23]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for administering controls on the export of Military equipment from Ireland, in accordance with the European Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment. The list of Military equipment subject to these controls is set out in the Common Military List of the European Union.
All applications for export authorisations in respect of Military equipment are subject to rigorous scrutiny by my officials, on a case-by-case basis. Each application is reviewed against the eight assessment criteria set out in Article 2 of the European Council Common Position.
The application is also reviewed against any EU Restrictive Measures, such as trade sanctions or arms embargoes, that may be in place in respect of the destination country.
My officials also seek observations from the Department of Foreign Affairs on any foreign policy concerns, including human rights considerations, that may arise with the proposed export.
Ireland does not have an arms industry and is not therefore, an exporter of weapons. Export authorisations are granted in respect of exports of personal firearms for hunting, sporting and recreational activities; explosives for civil engineering; aircraft and related equipment and components; ground vehicles and components; electronic control systems and software.
The table below sets out the number and value of exports, and their destinations.
Year | Export | Number of Licences issued | Value € | Destination |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Firearms and associated equipment Explosives Components for control systems Components for ground vehicles Components for sea vessels/aircraft Electronic Equipment Protective equipment Defence related software Defence related technology | 101 | 42,321,952 | Australia Canada Croatia Finland France Germany Italy Kosovo New Zealand Norway Singapore South Korea Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom United States |
2020 | Firearms and associated equipment Explosives Components for control systems Components for ground vehicles Components for sea vessels/aircraft Electronic Equipment Protective equipment Components for imaging equipment Defence related software Defence related technology | 13 | 108,469,431 | Australia Canada Czech Republic France Georgia Germany India Italy Kosovo Malaysia Netherlands Norway Poland Qatar Singapore South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom United States |
2021 | Firearms and associated equipment Explosives Components for control systems Components for ground vehicles Components for sea vessels/aircraft Aircraft Electronic Equipment Components for imaging equipment Defence related software Defence related technology | 142 | 166,934,215 | Australia Egypt France Germany Italy Netherlands Norway Oman Poland Singapore South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom United States |
2022 | Firearms and associated equipment Explosives Components for control systems Components for ground vehicles Components for sea vessels/aircraft Electronic Equipment Protective equipment Components for imaging equipment Defence related software Defence related technology | 135 | 125,958,821 | Australia Canada France Germany Malaysia Netherlands New Zealand Poland Singapore South Korea Sweden Switzerland Ukraine United Kingdom United States |
2023 to date | Firearms and associated equipment Explosives Components for control systems Components for ground vehicles Components for sea vessels/aircraft Electronic Equipment Components for imaging equipment | 71 | 119,034,570 | Australia France Germany India Malaysia Oman Poland South Korea Spain Switzerland United Kingdom United States |
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