An MEP for this region says the Government will have to reach a conclusion soon as to whether aluminum for the Russian War effort is being produced in the Shannon Estuary.
It comes as the Ukrainian Embassy has raised serious concerns over reports that up to 80% of Aughinish Alumina’s exports ended up in Russian hands last year.
The Limerick based plant is the only Alumina refinery in Ireland and has 475 full-time employees, while it supports hundreds more jobs in the region.
Although the facility is owned by Russian firm RUSAL, it has escaped sanctions since the onset of the Ukrainian War amid concerns it would have a critical effect on supplies of the raw material in Europe.
However, the issue has now come to prominence again after Aughinish escaped the EU’s latest round of sanctions, despite CSO reports that up to 80% of its exports went to Russia last year.
Ireland South Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher says clarity is urgently needed on whether the materials are supporting Russia’s war effort.
The Department of Trade is disputing the CSO’s findings, with Minister Peter Burke stating the true amount of exports to Russia is around 45%, with a similar amount going to the European market.
A Clare based Politics Professor, however is calling for the EU to close loopholes which are facilitating economic and military support to Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Newmarket-On-Fergus native and Associate Professor at DCU Donnacha Ó Beacháin says some countries in the block are providing support to Ukraine and its tormentors.
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