Irish MEPs to vote on alumina export ban to Russia in wake of Limerick plant controversy

While Fianna Fáil MEPs have confirmed they will abstain, MEPs from Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Labour have confirmed they will vote to bar the export

Aughinish alumina on the Shannon Estuary , Co Limerick. Picture Dan Linehan

Fianna Fáil’s four MEPs are set to abstain on a vote calling for a ban on the export of alumina to Russia.

A debate on further sanctions against Russia is due to take place in the European Parliament on Wednesday, with a particular call for alumina to be placed on the sanctions list.

While Fianna Fáil MEPs have confirmed they will abstain on the proposal, MEPs from Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Labour have confirmed they will vote to bar the export of the key component in aluminium to Russia.

While the resolution by the parliament will be non-binding, it places further pressure on the Government to complete its current investigation into Aughinish Alumina in Limerick.

The major plant is owned by Russian metals giant Rusal, and reports have identified that significant quantities of the raw material have been exported to Russia.

The Irish Times report set out that the alumina was then smelted into aluminium and turned into weapons, which are then used against Ukrainians on the 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".

An investigation into the export of alumina is currently being undertaken by the Department of Enterprise, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin saying he hoped it could be published soon.

He said there were no plans to nationalise the plant, but the Government would engage with the European Commission on next steps after the completion of the investigation.

Asked on Tuesday if the issues surrounding Aughinish Alumina had the potential to derail Ireland’s EU Presidency, Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher said it would not.

He said presently, alumina from Aughinish goes to France, Sweden and to St Petersburg in Russia.

“We also have to be very conscious of the fact that it’s the European Commission that proposes sanctions and we’re after 20 sanction packages already, and alumina has never been included in that.

“One of the first principles of a sanction, of course, is that it must do more harm to the enemy than to yourself.” 

Mr Kelleher said the Irish State always will enforce sanctions proposed by the Commission, but there were concerns about the strategic importance of Aughinish Alumina to the European aluminium industry.