Business is booming for Ireland’s arms trade

Final End Use countries include Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

Official Irish statistics show that the government approved exports of equipment and components for military use valued at €132 million in the first half of 2017, more than the value of military exports in 2015 and 2016 combined.

Documents published on Ireland’s Department of Business, Enterprise and Employment website show that every category of Ireland’s arms trade is increasing — including exports of dual-use technology, and military items. In total, the value of licenses issued in just six months last year is estimated by the government to be worth €1.8 billion.

Dual-use technology like surveillance equipment can contribute to human rights abuses, which is why it is covered by laws like the Control of Exports Act, 2008. But the value of Ireland’s dual-use technology exports is so staggering, that it can overshadow Ireland’s worrying, and ever-growing military exports.

A 2016 government report lists the importing countries for Ireland’s military exports, and even includes a short list of Final End Use countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

When Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) listed Ireland as a top arms exporter in 1980, it prompted a flurry of diplomatic cables and complaints, The Irish Times recently reported.

“Ireland does not export, and has not exported any ‘major weapons’ to any country at any time. Nor indeed do we know of any weapons exports of any kind from Ireland to any country.” — Department of Foreign Affairs letter to Frank Barnaby, Sipri in 1980.

Irish politicians have always protested that Ireland doesn’t export heavy armaments or guns like other countries do. But that’s no reason to look away. Technology companies in Ireland sell components used to run larger weapons systems, and other companies broker shady deals between large arms manufacturers elsewhere and foreign governments.

Andy Storey reported in 2016 on an Irish firm with no employees and money, according to official reports, which apparently was nonetheless employed to help broker arms deals for Leonardo S.p.A., an Italian weapons giant. The Irish shell company (since shuttered), IPCL Ireland, was registered with a trust in Niue, a tiny South Pacific tax haven.

Looking ahead

Ireland has a commendable record on supporting UN arms controls, and has remained outside of NATO. But the current government just voted in December to join the EU’s controversial PESCO military regime, committing 2% of GDP on military spending by 2022, a 10-fold increase over current spending and a boon for European weapons makers. Brexit could also bring more arms trade to Ireland’s shores, if people are not careful.