Taoiseach Mícheál Martin has said Ireland will “develop an approach” with the European Commission on how to respond to the shipments of alumina from the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Co Limerick to Russia.
He said that what appears to be a joint approach involving Dublin and the Commission would flow from the outcome of the investigation by the Government into the plant’s operations.
Mr Martin did not elaborate on what this joint approach would entail, although he said the outcome of the investigation would be a matter of weeks rather than months.
Speaking at a briefing in Cork where he is due to meet Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this evening, he said that once the Government’s investigation is complete, “we, with the Commission, then could develop an approach that would deal with the core issue here in terms of material going from that plant to Russia.”
He added: “We will discuss the outcome of our investigation with the Commission.
“We look at the broader issues in terms of Europe and this raw material and its importance to the broader supply chain across Europe, and then we’ll see what options are available to deal with this.”
Asked whether the Government accepted Aughinish Alumina’s threat that the plant would have to close if any sanction was placed on the export of alumina to Russia, the Taoiseach said: “We’re not accepting threats from any quarter.”
He added: “Basically, we want to look at this, taking into account the various factors, including the fact that there are people working in this plant, and it can’t be easy for them to be listening and reading material on issues that affect their individual lives.”
He said a “substantial volume” of alumina was exported to other parts of the EU, and not going to Russia.
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Tánaiste not involved in Aughinish nationalisation talks
Tánaiste Simon Harris earlier said he has not been involved in any discussions regarding a potential nationalisation of the Aughinish Alumina refinery.
During a briefing with international journalists in Iveagh House, Mr Harris said he did not believe there was only a binary solution to the dilemma surrounding the plant, which has been accused of supplying tens of thousands of tonnes of alumina – a key component in the manufacture of aluminium – to the Russian war effort.
The company, which is owned by Rusal, a Russian conglomerate, has warned that any attempt to sanction the supply of alumina to Russia would result in the plant’s closure.
The Government is concluding an investigation into the refinery’s operations and has pledged to provide a report to the European Commission.
There have been concerns that the closure of the plant would hit the European supply chain for aluminium production, a key component in Europe’s automotive and aerospace industries.
The prospect of sanctioning either the plant or the shipment of alumina to Russia has been complicated by the fact that Rusal also owns the mines that provide bauxite, the ingredient which is converted into alumina.
Mr Harris told RTÉ News: “There have to be ways of addressing issues that enable crucial supply chains to continue into the European Union and enable an absolute clarity that there’s no indirect assistance in any manner of means to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s regime in relation to the war.
“I think we can work our way through both of those issues. I don’t think these things are binary at all, because Europe has shown time and time again how it has managed to put in place ways to protect our own economy, our own supply chains.”
Burke: Ireland could not tolerate alumina being used by Russian military
During the launch of Ireland’s EU Presidency yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an indirect reference to the Aughinish Alumina operation, referring to “companies in European countries whose only purpose is to work for Russia”, adding: “Unfortunately, there are companies in Europe that are owned or effectively controlled by Russia and its sanctioned oligarchs.
“They keep supplying the aggressor with essential materials, even now.”
In response to the Ukrainian president’s comments, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said Mr Zelensky made the remarks “based on what evidence he has”.
“I haven’t got my investigation concluded as yet. Ireland, from our perspective, I would not think that’s the case,” Mr Burke said.
“I share the concern. I would be most concerned if any product is leaking into the Russian military complex, and as a State, we cannot tolerate that.
“But equally, I have an obligation to prove the authenticity of evidence that’s brought before me.”
Minister Burke separately said that the Government is “not exploring nationalisation”, and that his department is dealing with “Swedish authorities right now”, referencing Swedish tax investigations.
The minister said the independent report into Aughinish Alumina will be concluded “shortly”.
He declined to give an exact timeline, adding that “there are a number of clarifications” being sought, and that they are working with the Ukrainian authorities.
Govt ‘fully aware’ of facts around Aughinish, Social Democrats TD tells Dáil
The Tánaiste told the Dáil today that the Government’s investigation into the Aughinish Alumina refinery is “nearing finalisation”, and will conclude “very shortly”.
Mr Harris was responding to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan during Leaders’ Questions.
“We’ve received information from a variety of sources including the Ukrainian government,” Mr Harris said.
“That information is now being stress-tested.”
Mr Harris noted that it is the European Commission that proposes sanctions, not member states.
“I don’t think it’s a binary choice between supply chain and sanctions,” he added.
Deputy O’Callaghan accused the Government of “immoral… foot-dragging” on the issue.
He said that the Government is “fully aware” of the facts relating to Aughinish Alumina yet is “burying its head in the sand”.
He quoted President Zelensky’s remarks yesterday on EU materials being used by Russia to wage its war on Ukraine.
The deputy noted that Mr Zelensky had to leave Ireland early following the biggest attack on Kyiv since the war began.
Russia is raining “death, destruction and devastation” on Ukraine and using “raw materials manufactured in Ireland”, Deputy O’Callaghan stated.
Yet, he claimed, the Government has refused to act on available evidence.
“How much evidence do you need?” Deputy O’Callaghan asked.
