I thank Deputy Gibney for her question. The Department is the national competent authority with responsibility for the control of exports of dual-use and military items under EU and national legislation. The primary focus of export controls is not to block trade or exports but to enable the free movement of legitimate goods while ensuring that certain sensitive categories are subject to appropriate regulation. These controls are designed to manage risk, uphold international peace and security, and ensure Ireland's compliance with its international obligations. The bulk of dual-use exports from Ireland are mainstream business ICT products, both hardware and software, including networking, data storage and cybersecurity. They are categorised as dual-use items as a consequence of fact that they incorporate strong encryption for ICT security purposes. All export licence applications are considered by departmental officials in accordance with criteria set out in the relevant dual-use and military EU and national regulations, and with Ireland’s international obligations and responsibilities as a member of non-proliferation regimes and export control arrangements. Each application is assessed individually, considering the nature of the items, the destination country, the identity of the end-user and the intended end use. The Department also consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on each application. Under the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, the Department of Defence has committed to continuing to progress the interests of Irish SMEs to facilitate growth and ensure deeper engagement in the commercial dual-use area, both nationally and at EU level. I understand from my colleague, an Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, that while his Department will look to develop a more structured approach to enhance engagement with Irish SMEs in the area of dual use, the methodology around this support is being developed.

Sentiment score: 0.43

I thank the Deputy for her question. I know she has raised this matter on a number of occasions before. I too take this risk incredibly seriously. I will speak to officials in the Department in detail in this regard. The Department of Defence currently only facilitates Irish SMEs during their initial interaction with initiatives such as the European Defence Fund. This interaction is primarily administrative in nature, assisting entities to navigate the bureaucratic requirements associated with the collaborative EU programmes. My officials will continue to engage with current and potential exporters regarding their responsibilities under export control including via a webinar being hosted this morning to raise awareness among relevant stakeholders of their responsibilities under export control legislation. The bulk of dual-use producers from Ireland are, as I have said, mainstream businesses producing ICT products and so on. Their applications are assessed individually. The Department of Defence currently only facilitates Irish SMEs during their initial interaction with initiatives such as the European Defence Fund. As I said at the outset, I take these risks incredibly seriously. I am keeping a very close eye on this and I am working collaboratively with the Minister for Defence on the issue.

Sentiment score: 0.03

Applications for dual-use licences in respect of exports to any country are assessed on a case-by-case basis in line with the assessment criteria set out in the regulation and the eight criteria set out in the European Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment. In addition, my officials seek real-time geopolitical observations from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in respect of any applications. These views inform the final decision to grant or deny a licence. The assessment process is rigorous. My officials carry out a series of checks to ensure, insofar as they can, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated end user for the stated end purpose and will not be used or diverted for any other purpose.

Sentiment score: 0.22

I thank the Deputy for his really important question. This is something we all hear about regularly in our constituency offices. The action plan on competitiveness and productivity - a commitment in the programme for Government - recently published by the Minister, Deputy Burke, is a whole-of-government strategic response to the challenges that Ireland is facing. A key focus of the action plan is improving Ireland’s regulatory environment under the theme "Regulating for Growth and Controlling Costs". Measures under this theme include introducing a red tape challenge across Government to reduce regulation for SMEs, undertaking a public consultation to identify areas of high burden and all Government Departments applying the SME test to all measures, and in particular to policy initiatives where it is proposed to increase costs on small business. In terms of my Department, there is an ongoing commitment to ensuring the regulatory environment is proportionate and fit for purpose. This includes the conduct of regulatory impact analysis and the systematic application of the SME test, which has been designed to invite consideration of less stringent compliance requirements for smaller companies, where appropriate and proportionate. My Department has also established a small business unit which has been tasked with ensuring that the needs and issues of small businesses have a dedicated focus and are recognised and acknowledged across Government. In terms of legislative change, the Companies Act 2014 was updated through the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024, which introduced a range of practical reforms consistent with ensuring that Ireland's regulatory framework provides flexibility and is fit for modern business operating in an increasingly digital and virtual environment. Work is ongoing to modernise and reform a range of other legislation, including the co-operative societies Bill and legislation relating to limited partnerships and business names. The foregoing complements work ongoing at EU level, where there is a particular focus on simplification. This is what this all boils down to - simplification. I know the Minister has been a huge champion of the simpler, faster and lighter approach in terms of bureaucracy for small businesses.

Sentiment score: 0.33

The red-tape challenge will be introduced across Government to significantly reduce regulation for SMEs, because we have to get the balance right. I am glad the Deputy stated that regulation is the third most important issue. Companies and CEOs recognise the importance of regulation without killing businesses with additional burdens. The red-tape challenge will include a review by each Department to identify regulations to be removed or reduced without impacting on policy objectives, and a public consultation to identify areas of high burden or where burden reduction could be launched is a focus of the Government. The overarching objective of the action plan to which I referred is to maintain and improve Ireland's position as a competitive and productive economy capable of withstanding shocks, building on our strengths and developing the indigenous enterprise base while continuing to attract investment and talent from abroad. The action plan contains 85 actions for enhancing Ireland's competitive and productivity performance, with 26 of these identified as priority actions. I hope that provides some detail for the Deputy.

Sentiment score: 0.31

I agree wholeheartedly with what the Deputy said in terms of digitalisation, and that is not to take away from Deputy Conway-Walsh's point that there are businesses which will struggle with that. That is why the Department launched the digital charter, which is a call to action for bigger companies that are digitally proficient to buddy up with smaller businesses across the country to help them get on the digitalisation train. AI will be transformative and will bring us to a new level. I am looking forward over the coming weeks and months to us planning the AI summit, which will be part of Ireland's EU Presidency. In all of that, we need huge co-operation from the bigger companies to assist smaller companies where possible. They are willing to work with the Department and have been doing so up to this point.

Sentiment score: 0.14