Minister John McGuinness Commences the Second Stage of the Control of Exports Bill 2007

The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Mr. John McGuinness T.D. today, Thursday 4 October 2007, announced the commencement of the second stage of the Control of Exports Bill 2007, which is the first piece of legislation being dealt with by the Minister.

Commenting on the Bill, Minister McGuinness said that this Bill is “our tangible commitment to having in place a robust export control system that can best meet the challenges we face at a time of rapid geopolitical and technological developments.”

The Minister added: “Ireland has always been a strong advocate for global arms control and I believe this legislation will allow us to deliver domestically on our international commitments and obligations. For that reason I am happy to progress this piece of legislation through the Oireachtas at this time so that we can get it on the statute books without delay.”

ENDS/TC293

The Second Stage speech can be accessed at the following address:

http://www.djei.ie/press/2007/20071004a.htm

Notes for Editors:

The key features of the Control of Exports Bill include:Provision for the regulation of arms brokering activities in Ireland and by Irish citizens and companies abroad. This will enable Ireland to fulfil its obligations under EU Common Position 2003/468/CFSP, which requires Member States to take all necessary measures to control brokering activities on their territory. Brokering activities are defined in the EU Common Position as activities of persons and entities negotiating or arranging transactions that may involve the transfer of items on the EU’s Common List of military equipment from a third country to any other third country or who buy sell or arrange the transfer of such items that are in their ownership from a third country to any other third country.

Controls on the provision of certain types of technical assistance, in compliance with EU Joint Action 401/2000 CFSP concerning the control of technical assistance related to certain military end-uses. Technical assistance activities, as set out in the Joint Action, includes repairs, maintenance, development, manufacture, assembly, testing, training and instruction and consultancy services in connection with weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programmes or military end-uses in countries subject to internationally agreed arms embargoes.

Controls on the transfer by electronic means, say over the Internet, of sensitive software and technology. Commonly known as intangible transfer of technology, this type of transaction is a growing phenomenon in international trade.

Controls on goods in transit. A broader definition of exportation will enable controls to be placed on goods in transit through Ireland in line with the recommendations of UN Security Council Resolution 1540, adopted in April 2004, on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

ENDS