Ukraine’s foreign minister has called for the State’s investigation to be conducted “swiftly, independently and transparently” after reports that alumina from the Aughinish Alumina plant in Co Limerick was feeding the Russian military supply chain.
In a statement, Andrii Sybiha said aluminium was a critical component of Russian missiles and drones used against Ukraine. He welcomed the investigation, adding: “Ukraine will continue working with Ireland, EU institutions, and international partners to strengthen sanctions pressure on Moscow and close gaps that enable Russia’s defence industry to operate.
The European Commission’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will discuss the issue when she meets Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Tuesday.
Kallas, a commission vice-president and Europe’s high representative for foreign affairs, will be in Dublin for talks in advance of Ireland’s upcoming European Union presidency, which begins next month.
The Department of Enterprise is investigating potential links between the facility and the manufacture of Russian arms used in its war against Ukraine.
From the Shannon to Siberia: How alumina from a Limerick refinery enters Russia’s weapons supply chain
- Aughinish Alumina in Co Limerick supplies vast amounts of raw materials to Russian aluminium smelters, according to an investigation.
- The project, by The Irish Times and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), draws on confidential documents, customs data and transport records along with satellite imagery and financial records.
- Read the full story here.
In March, an Irish Times investigation, carried out in co-operation with the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, found that Aughinish’s Co Limerick plant was shipping vast amounts of alumina to smelters in Russia, where it is used to make aluminium, which is then sold to a trading company, ASK, that supplies dozens of Russian arms manufacturers.
The issue of Aughinish Alumina was raised by a reporter at a European Commission press briefing on Monday.
A commission spokeswoman said Kallas would be meeting the Taoiseach and “several topics will be discussed including the EU support of Ukraine, also pressure on Russia and also this specific topic will be addressed as a matter of concern”.
On the question of alumina being included in EU sanctions, another commission spokeswoman said: “We never comment on our upcoming sanctions packages.
“We are, with every sanctions package, looking at ways that we can close loopholes, always as I’ve said repeatedly with a goal to maximising pressure on Russia and minimising any revenues that they would take from this war.
“So beyond that we really can’t say more than that.
“We always appreciate the work of investigative journalists because they play a fundamental part of what we do on look at further measures but I can’t comment on a specific case at this time.”
Meanwhile Tánaiste Simon Harris has said that the Government’s Aughinish Alumina investigation is expected to be completed this month.
Speaking on Tonight with Gavan Reilly on Virgin Media TV, Harris said the European Commission was briefed on the investigation being carried out by the Department of Enterprise on Monday.
Harris said it is expected investigation will “be completed this month, possibly within the next two weeks or so.”
He added: “It’s important we see, bring clarity to this as quickly as possible.
“Ireland, the Irish people want to have absolutely no truck whatsoever with supporting Russia.”
During a separate press conference at a Renew Europe event in Cork, the Taoiseach was asked about Ireland’s stance on Aughinish Alumina and any potential sanctions.
He noted a Department of Enterprise investigation is under way and said: “European sanctions are a European competence and the commission engages with member states.”
Martin added: “We have concerns clearly but we will, as soon as we have completed our work through the Department of Enterprise … We will engage with the commission and with our colleagues in respect of this.”
He also said: “At the outset from my perspective, my understanding – this is a wider European supply chain issue, not just one specific to Aughinish or to Ireland so alumina was not on the sanctions list from the beginning of this war.”
Fianna Fáil Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher was also present and said: “The first principle of sanctions is to do more harm to the enemy than to yourself and there is an investigation being carried out by the department.”
