Written answers
Tuesday, 20 May 2025
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Export Controls
Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context
374. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of Irish companies exporting parts for military drones to companies (details supplied) in Israel, as reported in the media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25238/25]
Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context
My Department is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for Export Controls, including Controls on defence-related exports and exports of dual-Use goods. Controls on the export of dual-use items are administered by my Department, 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.
The primary purpose of export controls is not to block trade or exports, but to enable the free movement of legitimate goods while ensuring that certain sensitive categories are subject to appropriate regulation. These controls are designed to manage risk, uphold international peace and security, and ensure Ireland’s compliance with its international obligations.
Export authorisations fall under two main categories:
- Dual-use items, as defined under Annex I of EU Regulation 2021/821
- Military items, as defined by the EU Common Military List
Authorised officers within my Department are responsible for monitoring and investigating potential non-compliance with export control legislation. This is carried out through regular scheduled audits, as well as targeted interventions where information is received that requires closer scrutiny.
Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context
375. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the checks in place to ensure dual-use goods exported from Ireland are not used for military purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25239/25]
Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context
My Department is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for Export Controls, including Controls on defence-related exports and exports of dual-Use goods. Controls on the export of dual-use items are administered by my Department, 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.
All export licence applications are considered by my officials in accordance with criteria set out within the relevant dual-use and military EU and National Regulations and with Ireland’s international obligations and responsibilities as members of non-proliferation regimes and export control arrangements. On receipt of an application for an export licence, my officials carry out an assessment which includes a series of checks to ensure, as far as possible, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end-user for the stated end-use and will not be used for illicit purposes.
As part of their assessment, my officials seek the views of the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of all applications for export licences. Both my own Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs review all dual-use export licence applications against the eight assessment criteria set out in Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP.
If there are any concerns that the goods being exported will not be used for the end use or by the specified end user as detailed in the application 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.
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.
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context
376. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a record of shipments from an Irish company to an Israeli company (details supplied) containing electrical connectors over the past two years. [25301/25]
Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context
As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, my responsibilities centre around the control of exports of dual-use and military items under EU and national legislation. The primary purpose of export controls is not to block trade or exports, but to enable the free movement of legitimate goods while ensuring that certain sensitive categories are subject to appropriate regulation. These controls are designed to manage risk, uphold international peace and security, and ensure Ireland’s compliance with its international obligations.
Controlled items, whether under the dual-use or the military items regimes, are listed in the relevant legislation:
- Dual-use items, defined under Annex I of EU Regulation 2021/821
- Military items, defined by the EU Common Military List.
My Department has a duty to protect the commercial confidentiality and security of exporters, including their staff and facilities. This is a fundamental principle of how export controls are managed responsibly and in line with international best practice. Authorised officers within my Department are responsible for monitoring and investigating potential non-compliance with export control legislation. This is carried out through regular scheduled audits, as well as targeted interventions where information is received that requires closer scrutiny.
The Government remains committed to maintaining an effective, balanced, and internationally consistent export control regime that meets our legal obligations and reflects Ireland’s broader commitment to a rules-based international order.
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context
377. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if authorisation was sought by an Irish company (details supplied) from his Department to sell electrical connectors to another company; if so, the conditions of the licence issued; and the stated end-use on the licence application. [25302/25]
Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context
My Department has a duty to protect the commercial confidentiality and security of exporters, including their staff and facilities. This is a fundamental principle of how export controls are managed responsibly and in line with international best practice.
As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, my responsibilities centre around the control of exports of dual-use and military items under EU and national legislation. The primary purpose of export controls is not to block trade or exports, but to enable the free movement of legitimate goods while ensuring that certain sensitive categories are subject to appropriate regulation. These controls are designed to manage risk, uphold international peace and security, and ensure Ireland’s compliance with its international obligations.
Export authorisations fall under two main categories:
- Dual-use items, as defined under Annex I of EU Regulation 2021/821
- Military items, as defined by the EU Common Military List
Where an authorisation is issued it applies only to the specific goods, destinations, and end-users listed in the approved application, and any applicable conditions are attached to the authorisation itself. Exporters must ensure that exports take place within the specified validity period (typically 12 months). Authorisations are non-transferable, and any changes to the export circumstances (such as product specifications, end-user details, or company status) must be reported to the Department and may require a new authorisation.
Exporters are also required to maintain detailed records of each transaction, including contracts, invoices, shipping documents, and end-use declarations. Authorised officers within my Department are responsible for monitoring and investigating potential non-compliance with export control legislation. This is carried out through regular scheduled audits, as well as targeted interventions where information is received that requires closer scrutiny.
It is also important to clarify that the export control framework, particularly in relation to dual-use items, is sometimes misunderstood. A company exporting a non-controlled item to a military end-user does not require a licence if the item is not listed. This is not a loophole, nor is it inconsistent with Ireland’s policy of military neutrality. It reflects the fact that legally not every export to a military end-user involves a controlled product.
No comments