'No adverse' Aughinish findings, but lack of Russian data

An independent review into Aughinish Alumina exports to Russia has made no "adverse findings" against the plant, but the Minister for Enterprise cited a "lack of verifiable internal trade data within Russia" since the country's invasion of Ukraine.

The review follows reports of alleged exports of alumina to Russian weapons manufacturers from the Co Limerick facility.

It comes as the Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday said the Government's investigation into Aughinish Alumina has not found definitive proof linking its alumina exports to weapons manufacturers in Russia.

He added it neither found "definitive evidence that alumina may not be going to weapons manufacturers".

"It is very difficult to prove whether the material is going to Russia and difficult to prove that it is not going there."

This morning, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said he received the independent review and that it was shared with the European Commission. His department is the authority for enforcing certain aspects of trade and export sanctions.

The report has not been published yet.

The independent review assessed the information contained in articles on 23 March and subsequent media coverage, in the context of "potential leakage of Alumina from Limerick into military supply chains", Mr Burke said.

The department sought information from other bodies within and external to the State and has engaged with Aughinish itself in the conduct of the review.

Sweden and Ukraine were also engaged with and the department conducted its own research.

"No evidence corroborating the media assertions could be found," the minister said.

"While the media articles allege that alumina from Limerick may be part of purchases made by a company named ASK on behalf of Russian military contractors, it is relevant to note that the articles include a statement that the investigating journalists 'could not track the final destination of a specific batch of Aughinish's alumina'.

"My department has made every effort to substantiate these claims," he said.

Monitor events

Mr Burke said there is a "lack of verifiable internal trade data" within Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

No information of a "sufficient evidentiary level is currently available" to confirm the assertions that alumina from Ireland is entering the supply chain of Russian military contractors, he said.

"The company has provided data stating that no alumina produced in Limerick is used for military purposes and is solely used in the production of aluminium for export from Russia.

"However, this cannot be independently verified by the department."

Mr Burke said they will continue to monitor events and assess any further information or reports of "potential sanctions breaches" that can be examined and verified and will "act accordingly".

"We will continue to work with the European Commission, relevant authorities within Ireland and other authorities throughout the member states and Ukraine to enforce sanctions.

"The Irish Government stands in lockstep with Ukraine in its defence of its borders and of its people from the illegal war of aggression that it is confronting," he said.

He thanked Ukraine for supplying his department with information available to them.

"Now that the review is complete, my officials have submitted the report setting out the findings to their counterparts in the European Commission responsible for EU sanctions," he said.

"The matter is now with the European Commission for its consideration."

Read more: EU agrees new round of sanctions on Russia