‘Hard to know’ when Aughinish Alumina workers will have clarity, Tánaiste says

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

It is “hard to know” when workers at the Aughinish Alumina refinery will have clarification about the future of the facility, the Tánaiste has said.

The Limerick-based plant is Europe’s largest supplier of alumina and has a Russian parent company.

An investigation by The Irish Times and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), published in March, reported that material from it is sent to Russian smelters, where it is converted into aluminium used to supply manufacturers of the missiles, tanks and aircraft in the war against Ukraine.

The Department of Enterprise is conducting an investigation into the refinery and, on Thursday, the minister with responsibility for the department, Peter Burke, said he expected it within 10 days.

That report will then be sent to the European Commission, which will decide if sanctions will be imposed on the business or individuals associated with it.

Speaking to reporters at Government Buildings, Simon Harris said the Government’s investigation is “nearing completion”.

He said he believes it is the government’s job to “provide all factual information to the European Commission”.

Asked how long it would take before the workers at the plant would have clarity as to its future, he said: “The truth is, it’s hard to know, and I don’t say that in any sort of flippant way.

“The timeline in relation to the Irish work is as the Minister for Enterprise outlined,” he said.

“The timeline in terms of what the European Commission may decide to do is a matter for them.”

Harris did add that: “It’s possible for the European Commission to do one thing at a time.

“We know aluminium is a really important part of the supply chain for the European economy.

“We need to also make sure there isn’t any leakage into Russia’s war machine and obstacle work at some point.”

Last week, Mr Burke said he could not offer assurances to workers about the future of the plant.

Asked by reporters if their jobs were safe, he said: “This is a very serious issue and one which Government is working now through our investigation.”

He said there are 1,000 workers in the supply chain and wider economy and “about 900 more that are very much linked into a sector which has provided employment”.

“But we all meet challenges,” he added, “and we have to respond to those challenges with our values at our core as a country, and that’s very important to me as a Minister – Ireland’s reputation.”

Pressed on whether he could offer any assurances to the workers, he said: “The company is still operating, so at the moment, no decision has been taken.

“So, at the moment, I can’t give any assurances in any regard.

“This is a European issue. Europe has policy responsibility for sanctions.”