My Department's responsibilities centre on the control of exports of dual-use and military items under EU and national legislation. Controls and export of dual-use items are administered by my Department in accordance with EU Regulation No. 2021/821 of the European Parliament and the Council, setting up a Union regime for export controls, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items. The bulk of dual-use exports from Ireland, including those to end users in Israel, are mainstream business ICT products, both hardware and software. They are categorised as dual-use items as a consequence of the fact that they incorporate strong encryption for ICT security purposes. The primary purpose 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. All export licence applications are considered by my officials in accordance with criteria set out within the relevant dual-use and military EU and national regulations and Ireland's international obligations and responsibilities as members 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. Ireland’s export control decisions are guided by the EU common position and its criteria, which include respect for human rights, international obligations, regional stability and risk of diversion to another end use or end user. The risk profile of an application is impacted by current geopolitical factors, the end user, the items in question and their ability to be misused. This risk profile can change on a case-by-case basis. If an application is deemed high risk and the exporter is unable to provide strong assurances to mitigate the risks identified, the application will be denied. As each application is treated on a case-by-case basis, the available verifiable information at the time and associated risk assessments can change from application to application.
Sentiment score: 0.07
First, I robustly refute that Ireland, in any circumstances, is supporting genocide in Gaza. This country has been a firm supporter of international law. We have worked with the people of Gaza and Palestine to ensure we recognise the State of Palestine. We supported UNRWA at a very difficult time when Commissioner Várhelyi tried to take a unilateral decision. We were the first to support it. We joined the ICJ case and provided a significant amount of humanitarian aid. In relation to export controls, with regard o every single item that is exported, there has to be proof what the end user is and, essentially, where the product will end up. The Department independently licenses those products in line with EU legislation and the framework established by the EU. As I said, that is grounded in humanitarian law, ensuring there are no unintended consequences from the exports. That has been critical to our approach in the Department. We always stand by that firm application process.
Sentiment score: 0.11
There has been no review. There has been no change in policy. Our regime is robust and strong. In no circumstances is it contributing in any way to genocide in Gaza. We have a very clear protocol, as established under the EU framework on the export of dual-use items. Applications have reduced and changed from year to year. That is the reality here. It is not the case that our policy has changed or something happened to cause us to review our policy. We have a clear framework in line with European Union and international obligations. Ireland has been firm in its support of the people of Gaza. We are firm in calling out genocide and recognising the State of Palestine. We were firm in supporting UNRWA at a difficult time. We were firm in joining the ICJ case, standing up in the highest international forums - the UN and others - and, critically, in calling for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and calling for sanctions in that regard. We were firm in all those measures, standing up for the vulnerable citizens in Palestine.
Sentiment score: 0.10
I thank the Deputy for this important question. I will first make a clarification. I never said the CSO was incorrect. I said the management of Aughinish Alumina had furnished incorrect information to the CSO and that the company was working with the CSO to rectify same. I want to be clear. The CSO is the gold standard and I never implied it was incorrect in any way. Ireland remains unequivocal in its continuing support for Ukraine after Russia's unjustified invasion. I remind the Deputy that Aughinish Alumina is not subject to any sanctions by the EU and alumina is not a sanctioned good. Therefore, its export to other countries, including Russia, is not restricted. For context, the Aughinish Alumina plant is Europe's largest refinery and one of the most important suppliers to the EU aluminium sector. Since it began production in 1983, the Aughinish plant has also been a supplier of energy to the national grid and is a significant employer in the Limerick area. My Department is currently investigating the matters raised in a recent report in The Irish Times report about Aughinish Alumina and its exports to Russia. I take the matter of potential sanctions violations very seriously. The report indicates the potential for the alumina being refined and ultimately processed into aluminium for use by the Russian military and sourced through a sanctioned entity. Therefore, the Deputy will appreciate that this is a highly complex investigation with multiple strands. It has necessitated my Department's engagement with other bodies within the State and with other member states, as well as with the company itself. Officials within my Department are working independently on this investigation. Upon its conclusion, engagements will be had at official and political level with the European Commission to discuss, as appropriate. I am not in a position to comment on specifics of the investigation while it is ongoing because to do so could adversely affect its outcome. I must allow due process to be adhered to. I recognise the high-profile nature of this investigation. The Government will make a statement once it is completed. I cannot give a timeframe for the conclusion of my Department's investigation. While the Department is working as quickly as possible, it is crucial that this investigation is carried out thoroughly and in line with due process where all aspects are considered.
Sentiment score: 0.11
We need to ascertain where that 45% is going because there are many aspects of the economic model of every country that requires alumina. The material is used for making medical devices and in the food processing and automotive sectors. Obviously, the EU is a very significant importer of alumina as it is a critical raw material. It is important to put that on record. I refute the statement that we were slow to commence an investigation. Once this report was published in The Irish Times and other authorities came forward with information, we immediately opened an investigation. We are in contact with the Swedish authorities and the Ukrainian authorities about the evidence they have received. We are updating the European Commission weekly on the investigation. Ireland has supported robustly and unanimously every one of the 21 rounds of sanctions against Russia for its illegal invasion of Ukraine. We will not tolerate it if it is proven that alumina is ending up in the Russian military complex. The Government of Ireland will take action in that regard.
Sentiment score: -0.02
As the Deputy said, jobs must be saved. It is hard to reconcile that with his further statement in relation to Russia. We have to be clear that products are being exported to Russia that are being used in the Russian military complex, action will have to be taken. There are no easy answers to this. There are a huge number of jobs involved. The plant is responsible for a critical raw material. Any action would have big implications for Europe in the context of its security, for our grid, given that approximately 200,000 homes are powered by the plant, and for the Port of Foynes. There are serious implications but, as a country that upholds the rule of law and takes its obligations to citizens and human rights very seriously, we have to be to the fore on this. I do not want to pressure those doing the investigation. I know a lot of meetings are taking place this week in respect of it. I hope to have the report very shortly. The investigation will not go on for months or years. It will be a quick investigation and I hope it will begin a process of ascertaining whether the supply chain is concealed, or not. What I am trying to establish here is whether there is a concealed supply chain and whether the company can prove that to the independent investigation and the Commission.
Sentiment score: 0.20
I thank the Deputy for this very important question. In April last year, I obtained Government approval for the general scheme of the short-term letting and tourism Bill. Once enacted, this Bill will provide a statutory framework for regulating the short-term letting sector, including the establishment of a national register. This register, which has been broadly welcomed by the tourism sector, will be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland in compliance with the EU short-term rental regulation. The register will launch on 1 December 2026, with a legal obligation on all operators to register by 31 December 2026. The new housing policy for short-term let activity was set out today at Cabinet by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne, in a national planning statement. The statement provides a balanced framework that supports sustainable tourism, protects communities, maintains housing supply and enables clear, consistent decision-making for both property owners and planners. The new housing policy restricts the approval of new planning permissions for short-term lets in cities and larger towns with a population of over 20,000 in the last census. However, planning permission for short-term letting can be granted to preserve heritage or traditional buildings unsuitable for the long-term housing market. Upper floors in mixed-use buildings or small structures beside an owner-occupied home can also be approved, provided neighbours are not adversely affected. Permission will generally be favoured where a dwelling has been used continuously for short-term letting for at least seven years without enforcement action, in line with established use rights. A simplified administrative version of the application process for retention specifically for short-term lets will be introduced. Short-term let accommodation providers in towns with a population of less than 20,000 have two years to meet planning compliance and additional provisions are being included in the Bill to give effect to this measure. This work will be completed shortly. I intend to bring the Bill to Government in the coming weeks to seek approval for publication, and to advance the Bill to enactment by early autumn.
Sentiment score: 0.28
I know the Deputy has done a lot of work on this matter. In towns with a population of less than 20,000 in areas of the south and west coast where it is not viable to build a hotel and where short-term lets for tourism are needed, we will have a simplified administrative process for providers who have been in operation for more than seven years. We have issued a planning statement which will have a presumption for those operators to be granted planning. It will be a simplified process and there will be a presumption they will be granted planning to ensure they can continue in operation. As Minister, I want to see short-term lets continue in areas where they are needed, such as the west coast and the south. Kerry is a prime example, as are counties Mayo, Leitrim and Longford and rural County Galway. There are areas that need short-term lets to absorb the capacity because there is no hotel accommodation available. We will also bring forward an accommodation strategy this year to try to incentivise the growth of high-quality hotel accommodation as well, which will be another weapon in our armoury.
Sentiment score: 0.12
I have had significant negotiations with the Minister, Deputy James Browne, to achieve a balance. Obviously, it is critical that we have accommodation in our cities, where there is acute pressure on housing units - we are in a housing crisis - and that those units are made available for wider society. Equally, in areas where the tourism sector is very important, and tourism drives economic activity in rural Ireland, it is important that short-term lets that have already been in operation are able to continue. The planning statement will be published and it will state that there will be a presumption of planning to be approved on all short-term lets in areas with a population of less than 20,000. There will be a simplified application process for such operators to go through and there will be a two-year window for them to regularise once the register comes into operation.
Sentiment score: 0.06