Tánaiste welcomes independent review of export licensing system
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Harney has welcomed the completion of an independent review of Ireland’s export licensing system.
This system governs the export from Ireland of military and dual-use goods (goods which have both civilian and specific military applications) manufactured or assembled here.
Publishing the Review, the Tánaiste said: “In the present international climate it is important that all countries behave responsibly in regard to the sale of products which are military in nature or may have military applications.
“Ireland is a long-standing proponent of non-proliferation of weapons and as such is committed to meeting all international, legal and political commitments to control and monitor relevant exports from Ireland.”
The independent review was carried out for Forfás, on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, by Fitzpatrick Consultants Economic Consultants, Dublin, together with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The review noted that in the modern globalised economy, controls on international trade are rare and controls by countries on their own exports are very exceptional.
The prominent exception is in the area of military and dual-use goods, where there are established international agreements and procedures to ensure that exports do not go to undesirable end-users.
Aspects of this system, principally in the nuclear, chemical and biological area are based on legally binding international treaties, while control of conventional weapons relies more on international co-operation agreements.
