As the push for halting Aughinish Alumina exports to Russia intensifies with the latest urge from Estonia, Ireland’s Minister of State, Seán Canney, indicated his support for potential EU sanctions, provided the ongoing investigation proves Russia’s use of alumina in military and industrial capabilities is legitimate.
Minister Canney stated that the issue was under active examination and asserted the State would take necessary action if “reliable and hard evidence” from the ongoing investigation by the Department of Enterprise were brought to the table within the next two weeks.
Regarding the claims of the alumina supplied to Russia being used for defence-related purposes, Aughinish Alumina claimed that its operations were administered “in strict compliance with all applicable European Union laws, including sanctions, export control measures and trade regulations.” Although alumina is not part of the EU sanctions at present, the urge to add it to the package persists.
To that end, the Minister noted, “If sanctions have to be taken, they will be taken,” stressing that “there’s nobody shirking on the responsibility.”