Minister Michael Ahern announces signing of Ministerial Order implementing the EU “Torture Regulation”

The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Michael Ahern T.D., today (Wednesday 12 July 2006) announced the signing of regulations to implement the EU Council Regulation on the control of trade in goods that may be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

The European Communities (Control of Trade in Goods that may be used for Torture) Regulations 2006 provides for penalties for breaches of Council Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 of 27 June 2005 which comes into force on the 30 July 2006. The “Torture Regulation” bans trade in equipment that can be used for capital punishment and imposes controls on the export and import outside the EU of products that could be used for torture or for other cruel and degrading purposes.

Minister Ahern said: “Ireland already controls the export of these goods, which includes equipment such as cattle prods and leg irons. These new regulations will now enable us to prosecute anyone who imports such goods without a licence. I am very pleased to announce that with the signing of these regulations, Ireland is fully ready to enforce the Council Regulation as soon as it comes into force at the end of this month.”

ENDS

TC 236