Irish 'exporting arms parts' to conflicts

Irish firms are exploiting loopholes and weaknesses in the State's trade controls to export weapons parts that are being used in conflicts abroad, Amnesty International claims.

The report, Controlling a Deadly Trade, details several instances where Irish technology and expertise is being supplied to overseas makers of military and security equipment, which is then being deployed, in some cases on civilian populations, in areas such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine.

Amnesty says the regulations in Ireland are failing to ensure that military goods and technology from Ireland do not contribute to human rights abuses internationally.

The report highlights the involvement of Irish companies and individuals in the manufacture of components for attack helicopters used in Palestinian and Lebanon, for example.

It also details the overseas manufacture of Irish-designed armoured vehicles and vehicle components that have been used in Afghanistan, and supplied to Iraqi paramilitary forces accused of torture and unlawful killing.

The report highlights several areas where it says the legislation needs to be strengthened, including licensed production agreements undertaken by Irish companies, the supply of military and security services and personnel, transit and trans-shipment of arms and security equipment through Ireland, and transparency and reporting measures for the Oireachtas.

"The scale of human suffering caused by uncontrolled arms transfers makes action on our recommendations imperative," says Noeleen Hartigan, director of programmes, Amnesty International Irish section.

"Ireland must play its part in controlling the global arms trade; we are the only EU country that has no controls on arms brokering," she said.

"Amnesty International does not oppose trade in military, security and police equipment per se, but it must be regulated," Ms Hartigan added.

In 2004, an Amnesty report estimated that between 1997 and 2004 Ireland had exported €240 million worth of military goods, and €24 billion worth of goods with dual-use in military and civilian areas.

A subsequent review done for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, recommended a major overhaul of Ireland's export control regime relating to military and "dual-use" goods.

The Control of Exports Bill was published in February this year, but Amnesty says the Bill provides only a basic legal and enforcement framework.