Nationalising Aughinish is not being discussed – Taoiseach
Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking during a press conference today at UCC as Ireland begins its presidency of the EU Council. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA
The nationalisation of Aughinish Alumina is not being discussed at present, the Taoiseach has said.
An investigation by the Department of Enterprise to consider whether the Limerick-based plant is contributing to the Russian war effort in Ukraine is due to be published in the coming weeks. Owned by the Russian metals giant Rusal, Aughinish produces alumina, a raw material exported to Russia to make aluminium.
Once smelted, the aluminium is then used to make harmful weapons such as ballistic missiles used daily in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In March, and the Organized 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 said those figures were "inaccurate".
Speaking in UCC as Cork hosted the first event of Ireland's presidency of the EU, Micheál Martin said that whether to nationalise the plant was something which would be discussed after the Department's report is published.
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He said that the prospect of the Government purchasing the plant was not being discussed at present.
"That's not on the agenda right now, but we will engage with the Commission, assess [the plant's] importance to the wider European situation.
"We don't want the material going into Russia, and we're also mindful of all those working there, because it can't be easy for them to be reading about all of this, which obviously impacts on their individual livelihoods. We have to weigh up a lot of issues around this."
Mr Martin said he hoped the report into the plant would be published soon.
"There are a number of other issues parallel with the investigation, in terms of the importance of Aughinish and other raw material that comes out of Aughinish to European industry, because Europe has never put alumina on the sanctions list, and so there are wider issues that have to be bottomed out as well.
"But we will discuss that with the Commission, and within weeks we'd like to have the investigation completed."
Mr Martin said that it was not possible to guarantee that no alumina from Aughinish ends up in the Russian war effort.
Mr Martin was speaking as he prepared to meet European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Cork. Ms von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners will meet in the city on Friday.
Asked if the issue of Israel would be raised with Ms von der Leyen, Mr Martin said that he has raised the issue consistently.
"I've been raising it at European Union Council level for quite a while, and also in terms of when I was a foreign minister at the Foreign Affairs Council. So it's not dependent on the presidency alone that we raise these issues.
"There has been a lot of progress at the Foreign Affairs Council recently, but there are still quite a number of member states who have different views to Ireland on this, and there have been different elections across Europe, which have resulted in the election of governments that would not have a similar perspective to Ireland in terms of the Palestinian issue and Palestinians' right to self-determination.
"But the issue of trade with the occupied territories is one that can be dealt with, and should be dealt with at a pan-European union level."
Rolling disruptions are expected through the day as members of the council arrive and depart through Cork Airport.
Gaol Walk between College Rd and Western Rd is set to be closed until Friday afternoon.
Gardaí have said members travelling towards Cork Airport should allow additional time to arrive due to possible temporary traffic restrictions.
Additionally, those living, working, and travelling between UCC and the city centre can expect localised road closures and "temporary rolling closures" by garda escorts over Thursday afternoon and the morning/early afternoon of Friday.
- Paul Hosford, Deputy Political Editor
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