Dutch company Eurometaal NV planned shell factory in Ireland, but Brian Lenihan was ‘extremely dubious’
Government ministers reasoned that Irish-manufactured arms might threaten Irish neutrality and also bring international oppoprium against the country if they were used by rogue regimes. “In the absence of specific legislation, these exports would not be subject to control and could presumably be sent to any area of the globe, including areas of tension and countries governed by grossly oppressive regimes.”