Aughinish Alumina: Ireland will not support any measures that help Putin’s war machine – Tánaiste

Simon Harris and An Taoiseach say Department of Enterprise probe must be allowed continue — but neither would push back against any EU sanctions affecting the plant

Tánaiste Simon Harris said EU sanctions on Russia in the wake of its of attack on Ukraine hurt 'Putin where it hurts in terms of an impact on the Russian economy.' Picture: Alexander Nemenov/AP

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said “Ireland will not support any measures that help assist Putin’s war machine” as an investigation into the use of alumina produced in Limerick continues.

Both Mr Harris and Taoiseach Micheál Martin said a probe by the Department of Enterprise into Aughinish Alumina must be allowed to be completed. However, neither said they would push back against the inclusion of alumina on further EU sanction lists.

In March, The Irish Times and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project published an investigation examining Aughinish’s alleged role in supporting Russia’s military industry.

It highlighted claims the Limerick alumina refinery exported large quantities of alumina to Russia, where it is smelted and used by manufacturers producing weapons deployed on the Ukrainian frontline.

CSO figures on Aughinish disputed 

Recent CSO figures appeared to show that 200,619 tonnes, or 83% of Aughinish’s total exports, were shipped to Russia during the first quarter of 2026. However, enterprise minister Peter Burke said those figures are "inaccurate".

While the EU did not include alumina in its latest EU sanctions list, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, said no EU product should end up in the Russian war effort.

Ireland’s European presidency

At the launch of Ireland’s European presidency, the Tánaiste, who is also finance minister, said Ireland has been “to the forefront of supporting every sanctions package to date”, and that sanctions work because it “hits” Russian president Vladimir “Putin where it hurts in terms of an impact on the Russian economy”.

When asked if the Government believes further sanctions should include alumina, Mr Harris said Ireland cannot “cherry-pick” when it comes to sanctions.

“We have to be very careful we allow the investigation to do its work,” he said. “It's very clear — Ireland will not support any measures that help assist Putin’s war machine.

Foreign affairs and defence minister Helen McEntee discuss the issue of Aughinish Alumina and exports to Russia in Dublin on Tuesday with EU High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy Kaja Kallas. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

“The question here is to establish the facts. I think the actions being taken by the Department of Enterprise are appropriate.”

He said the report will be completed in less than two weeks and will be given to the European Commission for analysis.

EU's 'most severe sanctions' on Russia

Mr Martin said the latest round of sanctions proposed by the EU are “probably the most severe sanctions yet”.

He said that the “full facts” about what is happening at Aughinish Alumina are required and the “potential interdependence between that facility and needs within Europe has to be fully bottomed out”.

Mr Martin said this is a “very serious issue” and will be dealt with “comprehensively”.

“We do not, in any way, want to be either indirectly or through some of this material, aiding or supporting Russia's military process against the Ukrainian people."

• Louise Burne, Political Correspondent