Mayor seeks coordinated response for Aughinish workers

The Mayor of Limerick has written to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Enterprise and Employment to seek a coordinated response to uncertainty facing workers at Aughinish Alumina.

John Moran has proposed the establishment of a "coordinated forum to support workers, management, trade unions, suppliers and the wider community as uncertainty continues around the future of Aughinish Alumina".

It comes days after the European Parliament voted in favour of a proposal to ban alumina exports to Russia.

Last month, Micheál Martin said Ireland would "develop an approach" with the European Commission on how to respond to the shipments of alumina from the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Co Limerick to Russia.

In the letter to Mr Martin and Peter Burke, the mayor said that these developments have created "understandable concern for the hundreds of employees, their families and the many businesses across the midwest whose livelihoods depend on the plant".

He proposed a forum be established under the powers available to the Office of the Mayor to improve communication between the Government, the company and local stakeholders and to "ensure the region is fully prepared for whatever decisions may emerge at European level".

"They deserve clear communication and they deserve to know that every level of Government is preparing responsibly for every eventuality," he said.

Mr Moran added that his proposal is intended to complement the work already being undertaken by the Government.

"Whatever decisions are ultimately taken at European level, Limerick must have a seat at the table to consider the implications of that.

"My role is to ensure that our workers, our businesses and our communities are heard and that their interests are fully taken into account."