The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) will report back on its investigation into the Aughinish Alumina refinery “within weeks”, the Taoiseach has confirmed.
The Limerick plant is reportedly exporting around half of its alumina – the raw material for aluminium – to Russia.
Ukraine says metal exports directly support Russia’s war machine. They have urged the Irish government to place sanctions on the company.
President Zelenskyy made a surprise visit to Ireland yesterday to mark the start of the Irish presidency and is thought to have raised the issue.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin maintains that the plant is vital for the European metal industry. There are fears that sanctions could place the plant’s future into jeopardy.
The dispute has overshadowed the start of Ireland presidency of the Council of the European Council.
At a press conference with the Taoiseach and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Cork today, questions over Aughinish Alumina were raised once again.
“Aluminina has not been on any sanctions list so far. We are investigating this issue and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is leading that investigation and we believe it will complete its work within weeks,” Micheál Martin said.
President von der Leyen confirmed that the European Commission is awaiting the outcome of the Irish-led probe before determining any next steps.
“We were waiting for the finishing of the investigation and then we will discuss together the results. It’s for Ireland to lead this investigation and to set the time frame,” von der Leyen said.
The Irish government has launched its EU presidency under the banner of “Competitiveness, values, and security.”
The alumina fiasco is not a good look.
The Taoiseach insisted it was not raised during von der Leyen’s visit today.
“It didn’t form part of the substantive discussions today,” he said.
He maintained that the meeting of the 27 European commissioners (including von der Leyen) with government ministers focused on bigger issues like the EU’s long-term budget and affordable housing.
Referring to a housing crisis in Ireland and many other parts of Europe, President von der Leyen said it was “one of the defining social challenges of our time and our people expect us to deliver.”
The European Commission is due to come out with plans for an Affordable Housing Act in the coming weeks.