Minister says Aughinish Alumina consultation could prejudice Russia review

Peter Burke says independent investigators must complete their work before any wider engagement on the future of the Limerick facility

The sign for the Rusal Aughinish Alumina plant on the Shannon Estuary, County Limerick, one of Europe's largest bauxite refineries. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Enterprise minister Peter Burke has said he cannot consult with workers or the wider community about Aughinish Alumina while a review into the facility is under way, arguing that doing so could prejudice the investigation.

Mr Burke also said he could not guarantee that the review into whether alumina produced at the Co Limerick plant is ending up in Russian military equipment would be published once completed.

Investigative reports have alleged that alumina from the Limerick plant is being sent to Russia, where it is processed into aluminium that is then used in the manufacture of weapons. The reports have prompted calls for EU sanctions.

Department of Enterprise officials are examining whether, and to what extent, product from the plant is being used for military purposes in Russia.

However, Mr Burke said he "cannot say" whether the findings of the report will be made public, as it could contain "sensitive data", adding that he would have to consult the Attorney General before making a decision.

He also rejected suggestions that employees and the local community were being left in the dark amid concerns that potential sanctions could affect around 1,000 jobs at the facility.

His comments come after the Mayor of Limerick wrote to the Taoiseach and Mr Burke calling on the Government to establish a forum to ensure Aughinish Alumina workers are "at the table" as uncertainty over the plant's future grows.

Mr Burke said: "No one has been kept in the dark. Essentially, we have an independent organ of a Department trying to have an investigation. I can't open up that to wider society right now. Neither can I pre-empt what it might say.

"For me to essentially start consulting with the community down in Limerick, what am I consulting about? I haven't seen the result of the report yet. It could actually prejudice the report because it will put pressure on others who are trying to go about their actions diligently and independently."

The minister added that the Government has always supported workers when required, but stressed "we are absolutely not at that stage".

Review timeline 

Mr Burke said he remained confident the 10-day timeframe he outlined last week would still be met, although he would not impose a strict deadline on those conducting the review.

"I cannot set a deadline for competent experts to do their work, because the CSO, the Revenue Commissioner, have to set a determination on the export statistics that we're currently awaiting clarification on.

"And critically, as I met with the Ukrainian ambassador last week, further information has come in from the Ukrainian authorities, and we've also been working with the Swedish authorities. So I can't essentially set a limitation of scope on the people doing the investigation, but I expect from discussing the parameters and the timelines that it will be very shortly, and I'm hopefully sticking with my 10-day announcement."

Mr Burke also repeated his position that nationalising the plant is not an option because it would not meet the "significant" threshold required.