The Government plans to introduce new arms control legislation to close loopholes in Irish law that would allow arms brokers to operate in the Republic.
The legislation will also focus on bringing current practices for exporting military, and so-called dual-use goods, up to the highest international standard, according to the Tánaiste, Ms Harney.
Speaking to The Irish Times, Ms Harney said that new legislation would follow the recommendations of a major review of Ireland's arms control system which will be concluded shortly.
The review, which is being undertaken by the economic consultants Fitzpatrick Associates, will recommend that the law needs to be changed in the Republic to outlaw arms brokers.
Arms brokers arrange for the transfer of weapons between different states in Africa and Asia, many of which are subject to arms embargoes with the EU. But because the physical goods never touch Irish soil, the brokers do not fall within Irish legislation.
An earlier consultant's report commissioned by the Tánaiste warned that UK-based arms brokers may decide to move to the Republic following a recent tightening of British legislation. The pressure group Amnesty also warned recently that international arms deals were being brokered in Ireland, resulting in significant loss of life in Africa.
Ms Harney said that the Government would have to introduce new primary legislation to close the existing loopholes on arms brokers and a number of other deficiencies in arms controls. "We probably couldn't do it through statutory instrument," she said. "There would be a need for new primary arms control legislation to bring Ireland into line with the best practices internationally and enforcing the necessary controls in Ireland."
Ms Harney rejected the assertion made by some pressure groups that the Republic was putting profits ahead of morals by exporting large amounts of military and dual-use goods.
Figures compiled by Amnesty show that the State has exported €240 million worth of military goods and €23.7 billion worth of dual-use goods since 1997. Dual use goods include software, telecoms equipment and chemicals.