Minister McGuinness Announces Commencement of Control of Exports Act 2008

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced the signature of the Commencement Order for the Control of Exports Act 2008, which will come into force today Monday 5^th May 2008.

Commenting on the Act, Minister for Trade and Commerce, Mr John McGuinness, who piloted it through the Dáil earlier this year said: “ The imminent entry into force of the Control of Exports Act 2008 is tangible evidence of this Government’s commitment to having in place an effective Irish export control system. I am committed to making rapid progress on the further measures necessary to give full effect to the Act’s provisions. These include putting in place the necessary resources to implement export controls and the early adoption of the associated secondary legislation. Work is progressing in my Department on these instruments and, as I indicated in the Dáil, the Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment will have an opportunity to comment on them prior to their adoption.”

The legislation was enacted earlier this year on foot of a Forfás report, which recommended strengthening Ireland’s strategic export controls to bring them into line with best international practise. Among the main features of the Act are the introduction of controls on arms brokering, on technical assistance activities such as repair, maintenance and development and on the transfer of technology by electronic means.

Enforcement of the new legislation will be a key feature with substantially increased fines of up to €10 million and enhanced inspection and audit powers for authorised officers.

The Act also commits the Minister to submit an annual report to the Oireachtas on the operation of Ireland’s export controls system.