Government worried Russia using Aughinish Alumina products in Ukraine war
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. File picture
The Government is concerned products from Limerick-based plant Aughinish Alumina would be “used to assist Russia in waging its brutal war against Ukraine”, the Taoiseach has said.
It comes as the Department of Enterprise is investigating to clarify figures provided by the company relating to its exports to Russia, despite claims that the company primarily serves the EU.
In March, and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project published an investigation examining Aughinish’s alleged role in supporting Russia’s military industry.
The report highlighted claims that 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.
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 this week claimed that only 45% of Aughinish’s exports went to Russia during the period, with a further 45% exported to EU member states and that data given to the CSO is "inaccurate".
Speaking in Budapest this Thursday, Mr Martin said an investigation is underway and will “work beyond the company”.
“We will discuss that then with the European Commission in terms of the wider aspects of this. Because early on, certainly from my perspective, the sense was that Aughinish Alumina was keyed into the wider European supply chain in respect of this critical material.
“That was a factor in it not being sanctioned, or alumina being sanctioned, as a material in the numerous sanctions packages that we've had to date,” Mr Martin said.
Mr Martin added that the company was never added to a sanction list as the general sense was it was “not just a specific Irish issue”.
“I think we're looking at figures in and around 45%, but again, that needs to be investigated further,” he said.
While speaking to reporters in Budapest, Mr Martin also talked about “opening up a discussion” on a referendum to increase the number of Cabinet ministers.
“ We don't have any plans for a specific referendum in the lifetime of this government on the question. But we do as a country need to discuss these matters a bit more openly,” Mr Martin said.
He said he came back into government in 2020 as he felt there was a need to “change our investment and engagement in research”.
“That is the products and ideas of tomorrow, and the jobs of tomorrow. When you look at marine, there was once a Department of the Marine. It's now quite dispersed, and it's in different departments.
"Given the importance of the maritime domain in terms of offshore energy, in terms of critical undersea infrastructure and fisheries and a whole range of other issues, in the fullness of time, one would like to see a department with the capacity to pull all of that together and to develop it, because it's going to be a powerhouse in terms of our future economic development.”
After Michael Healy-Rae spoke for the first time since his resignation as junior agriculture minister, he heavily criticised his brother for calling for Mr Martin and Simon Harris to be replaced before the vote of no confidence.
Speaking of Mr Healy-Rae, Mr Martin said: “ I regretted the fact that he resigned from government. I didn't think, at the time, that that was necessarily the correct course of action.
“I think he's clearly having challenges in terms of that issue, and I think he regrets it himself, perhaps. And he is a positive, constructive individual. He will contribute as a parliamentarian in the next number of months and years, I've no doubt."
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
