AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL has welcomed the publication of a report on the Irish arms trade, but questioned “the lack of specifics” it contained.
The first report under the Control of Exports Act 2008, published by Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton, showed companies in Ireland had been authorised to export €90 million worth of equipment for ammunition and arms use, including guns and weapons sensors, between 2008 and 2010.
A further €10.6 billion of “dual-use” product licences were also authorised.
These consisted of mainly electronic and telecommunications materials, which could be used for ordinary purposes but had the potential to be used by weapons manufacturers.
The 2008 Act provides the legal basis for export controls, the licensing regime and the overall regulation of the export of dual-use and military-use goods.
It requires the Government to document the State’s involvement in the international arms trade.
In the period 2008-2010, 98 companies in Ireland were approved to carry out business with countries including Libya, Iraq, Egypt, Algeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Lebanon.
Most of the contracts involved Britain, the US, Germany and China.
Mr Bruton said that in the future, summary data on the export of controlled products would be published every six months.
Colm O’Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, said he welcomed the report but he questioned the delay in its publication.
He said Mr Bruton’s commitment to publishing summary information every six months was a “definite step in the right direction”.
