Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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231.To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 71 of 23 May 2024, the names of the companies in respect of which fourteen individual dual-use export licences with a value of €52 million to end users in Israel in the period 7 October 2023 to 23 May 2024 were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24835/24]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for Export Controls, including Controls on defence-related exports and exports of Dual-Use goods.

While the term “dual-use” refers to those items that are normally used for civilian or commercial purposes but may also have a military application, the vast majority of dual-use licences issued are for commercial purposes.

All applications for exports of controlled goods are assessed on a case-by-case basis giving due consideration to the eight criteria under the Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment.

Applications are subject to a rigorous licence application process which centres on a careful assessment of the proposed end-user and the end-use. Furthermore, the Department consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in respect of all export licence applications involving Israel.

In view of the relatively small number of export licence holders, it is the policy of the Department not to identify licence holders or recipients of controlled goods. To do so could prejudice the competitive position of the company in the conduct of it's business. Publication of identifying details could facilitate actions against companies engaged in their lawful business in an already regulated sector of the economy.

If there are any concerns that the goods being exported will be used for a military end-use or if the exporter does not provide enough information on the intended end-use for my officials to make an informed decision, the application for a licence is denied. Investigations are undertaken where there is a potential breach of the Dual Use Regulation and referrals made to An Garda Siochana if a criminal offence is suspected.

In applying export controls in a robust and transparent way, the Department ensures that legitimate business transactions by reputable Irish traders are not damaged in any way while also ensuring that exports of controlled goods are thoroughly risk assessed in the context of ongoing conflicts, diversion of goods and humanitarian considerations.