Ireland has exported more than €97 million worth of dual-use products to Israel since October 2023, the Department of Enterprise has confirmed.
Dual-use items can be used in either civilian or military settings and they must receive a special export licence before leaving Ireland.
The figure was confirmed by Minister of State Niamh Smyth in the Dáil today.
She revealed that 42 licences were issued in relation to the exports.
Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, followed by a massive Israeli military offensive on Gaza.
Most dual-use exports "are mainstream business ICT products, both hardware and software, networking, data-storage and cyber-security," Minister Smyth told Sinn Féin TD Cathy Bennett.
The minister said that her officials carry out "a series of checks to ensure, as far as possible, that the item to be exported...will not be used for illegal purposes".
Deputy Bennett noted that these exports have "ballooned" since the 7 October attacks and asked whether this was "suspect" given that the Israeli economy is struggling.
The total figure for 2022 was €10.7m, she said.
She also said that the Government "has intervened in a case before the International Court of Justice where Israel is on trial for the crime of genocide".
Deputy Bennett asked whether the Government has a responsibility to ensure that Ireland does not export any components which could be used in war crimes.
"We are sure we have very strong controls in place," Minister Smyth replied. "Robust risk assessment" is carried out, she insisted.
Independent TD Catherine Connolly said she was not reassured by the information she has received on this issue.
She asked how many applications were refused and on what grounds those decisions were made.
Minister Smyth offered to have her officials meet with the two deputies to discuss the "legitimate" issues that they had raised.
So far in Q1 2025, three licenses have been issued worth "just under €427,000".
Here is a breakdown for the final two quarters of 2023 and all of 2024:
2023:
- Q3: Seven licenses issued worth €1.14m
- Q4: Three licenses issued worth €31.24m
2024:
- Q1: Seven licenses issued worth €1.18m
- Q2: Ten licenses issued worth €20.59m
- Q3: Six licenses issued worth €8.57m
- Q4: Six licenses issued worth €33.93m
Total:
€97,077,000
