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News & Current Events May 9, 2026 at 5:49 AM

Pressure grows on Government in Ireland over Aughinish Alumina as dozens of MEPs demand export ban to Russia

Posted by SLAVAUA2022

Pressure grows on Government over Aughinish Alumina as dozens of MEPs demand export ban
The Irish Times
Pressure grows on Government over Aughinish Alumina as dozens of MEPs demand export ban
Move follows Irish Times investigation revealing Co Limerick plant ships vast amounts of alumina to Russia
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ManatuBear 4 days ago +64
Why are we exporting anything to Russia? Why these selective bans and sanctions that after years of war are still full of loopholes? There should be a total export ban to Russia.
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Eastern_Hornet_6432 4 days ago +27
The company is Russian-owned since the 1970s. It's a subsidiary of Rusal, which was founded by [Oleg Deripaska](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleg_Deripaska). It's the largest alumina refinery in Europe; if it gets shut down, Europe loses a lot of alumina too. And I can only assume that the Russian owners would be forced to shut it down if it can't export to Russia. I suppose it could be nationalized (by Ireland) to prevent that from happening? But appropriating a private business for foreign policy reasons would have a chilling effect on foreign direct investment in Ireland in general. Most countries would perceive it as common theft, and FDI would dry up. EDIT: Bear in mind, this is not me advocating for continuing to export to Russia. I'm merely outlining the considerations that have probably (IMHO) prevented any ban so far. TBH I'd be in favor of shutting it down, especially in light of [the major environmental threat it poses to Ireland](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxTt3G5G7y0).
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Competitive-Bar-9300 4 days ago +7
I don't think that most countries would perceive that as something negative or care at this point. The line between freezing assets and giving the interest to Ukraine and seizing assets isn't that far. But I wouldn't expect the government to necessarily seize and operate it themselves, they could shut it down or sell it or order it to be sold. Countries seizing businesses operated by sanctioned or blockaded enemies isn't unusual. Russia themselves does this frequently and for much less clear reasons, which has had a negative effect on foreign investment, but I don't think Ireland risks being seen as a kleptocracy for this. It would be easy for Ireland to get foreign investment elsewhere in running the plant, even.
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unematti 4 days ago +5
Don't shutter it. The government just should take it.
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dano1066 3 days ago +2
Yeah, I don’t know why we gotta care about russias feelings or the investments of Russia in Ireland. Take the factory and be done with it
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the_real_donald_dump 4 days ago +7
Because money supersedes doing what’s right
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artful_codger 4 days ago +20
As an Irish person, i can say that the Irish government are spineless. This can be a good thing. If enough political pressure is exerted, they will sanction this company. But they won't do it when their own voters exert pressure. They're much more sensitive to external criticism, and bad PR from abroad. So keep going! Keep shining a light on this, and you'll absolutely achieve your goal.
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Niibler 4 days ago +11
Irish company and then Latvian and Estonian doing the shipping to russia. EU at its best
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unematti 4 days ago +2
Russia still can pay?...
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