IRISH-BASED FIRMS exported at least €1.45 billion worth of components that can be used by the military and defence industries last year.

The trade in such items, referred to as “dual use”, and typically sophisticated software or chemicals used in technology products, represents a sharp fall on €6.74 billion exports in 2009.

New figures show the Department of Enterprise issued 715 individual dual-use licences in 2010 worth €1.28 billion and 66 global dual-use licences worth €174 million. It also issued 98 licences to export purely military products worth some €24.35 million.

In a statement last night, the department said the economic climate may account for the drop in both military and dual-use exports. In an answer to a parliamentary question, Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton said the department refused one-dual use licence in 2010. He said he could not provide any further information about refusals to grant an export licence due to “issues of commercial confidentiality”.

The Government releases the value of goods in respect of which an export licence was granted. This may not represent the actual value of all goods exported.

Dual-use goods are typically components, software or chemicals which can be used by military or defence forces as well as by civilian commercial firms. Controls which prevent technologies falling into the hands of states accused of human rights abuses mean firms must apply for licences to export these goods.

Mr Bruton said a key part of the licensing system is to ensure, as far as possible, the items exported will not be used for an illicit purpose or for use in an embargoed country. “The checks and balances built into the licensing system facilitate robust scrutiny in this regard,” he said.

However, Amnesty International last night criticised the Government for failing to comply with its own rules for disclosing the true value and destination of military and dual-use exports.

Under the Control of Exports Act 2008, legislation designed to increase transparency of Ireland’s military and dual-use export regime, the Government must “prepare and lay before each House of the Oireachtas a report on the operation in the preceding year of matters within this Act”.

The Government has failed to produce an annual report for any of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010.

“In spring 2009, we were told the report for 2008 would be published that summer. We’re still waiting – and for the figures on the years since,” said Amnesty International Ireland executive director Colm O’Gorman.

“Without these reports, there is simply no way to know where weapons designed or manufactured by Irish companies are going.

“Irish companies and individuals have previously been involved in supplying weapons used by Israel in Lebanon and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and by Iraqi paramilitary forces accused of torture and unlawful killing.

“The coalition Government should release these reports as soon as possible and state clearly that it will meet its obligations under Irish law to publish these reports on time in the future.”

The Department of Enterprise last night said the annual report on military and dual-use exports was being considered by the Minister with a view to an “imminent” publication date.

A wide range of Irish-based firms export military and dual-use goods.

These include US multinational Moog Limited, which has an operation in Cork, and Navan-based Timoney Technologies.