Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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166. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of licences for dual use items issued for trade with Israel in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49502/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for administering controls on the export of Dual-use goods from Ireland, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items.

Dual-use items are goods and technology, including software, that can be used for both civil and military applications, as set out in Annex 1 of Regulation 2021/821. Many standard business ICT products, both hardware and software (e.g. data storage, networking, cybersecurity), incorporate strong encryption for security purposes and are therefore subject to Export Controls.

All applications for export authorisations in respect of Dual-Use goods 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 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment.

Consideration is given to international obligations and commitments under export control arrangements and international treaties as well as considerations about intended end-use and the risk of diversion.

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 seek observations from the Department of Foreign Affairs on any foreign policy concerns, including human rights considerations, that may arise with the proposed export.

The table below sets out the number of individual dual-use export licences issued in respect of end users in Israel.