The Government’s investigation into the Aughinish Alumina refinery would conclude within weeks, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee has said.
Ms McEntee was speaking on arrival at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
The plant on the Shannon Estuary has been at the centre of allegations that it has increased shipments of alumina to Russia, which in turn are ending up in Russian weapons systems being used against Ukraine.
Following media reports on the issue, Taoiseach Micheál Martin ordered the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs, to review the plant’s operations.
Watch: Govt determined to avoid Russian use of Irish materials – McEntee
“The most important thing here is that we get all of the facts, and we are, as a Government, absolutely determined to get all of the facts, and to make sure that we do not play any part in material that can be used as a weapon by Russia,” Ms McEntee said.
She added: “In my discussions with [EU foreign policy chief] Kaya Kallas, when she visited Dublin last week, we were very clear that we will engage fully with the [European] Commission on the outcome of this review.
“It will be concluded in a matter of weeks. I know that there are a number of different strands to it, and it’s important that we get all of the information, that we’re not having to go back a second time or look at other areas again.
“If there are challenges or difficulties, we’ll make sure that we can overcome them, but we will work closely with the Commission once that review is done, and we will make sure that we continue to impose as strong sanctions as possible on Russia, because they’re working.”
Ms McEntee also described the opening of negotiations for Ukraine’s accession to the EU – as well as that of Moldova – as “a really momentous day”.
“Through our presidency [of the EU], we will work with both countries to make sure that [negotiating] clusters can be opened as quickly as possible, and that we support those countries with the reforms that need to take place,” she said.
Ms McEntee also said Ireland supported the 21st sanctions package against Russia and moves to further tackle Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers which have been circumventing the G7 and EU oil price cap.
