The Taoiseach has said that he does not want see materials produced by Aughinish Alumnia in Limerick used “in any shape or form” in weapons deployed in Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Speaking at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in the city of Tivat in Montenegro, Micheál Martin said that the Government is currently carrying out an investigation into the company.
Once the full facts are established, the Government would then engage with the European Commission on the matter.
Mr Martin said that Aughinish was a significant employer in the region, but the Government would have concerns if its probe showed that the supply model was assisting Russia’s war.
Watch: Taoiseach says Ireland does not want materials from Aughinish being used in Russia’s war
He again condemned the brutality of that war and the attacks on civilians and infrastructure.
The Taoiseach also pledged that Ireland would “break the back” of the EU accession negotiations for Montenegro during its presidency of the EU which starts next month.
The theme of enlargement is to the fore at today’s meeting in Tivat with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also indicating that Montenero was close to the finishing line in its bid to gain EU membership.
Discussions on how to integrate the countries from this region into the EU are high on the agenda.
Progressing the accession negotiations of today’s host country Montenegro is something Ireland has committed to doing, during its EU presidency term in the second half of this year.
Mr Martin attended a dinner hosted by Montenegro last night to mark 20 years since it regained independence.
