Aughinish Alumina in focus as the European Union vote backs the Russia export ban

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Momentum is building within the European Parliament as Aughinish Alumina faces a European Union vote to decide the future of its exports to Russia. Several Members of the Parliament, resolute to urge a full ban on the Russia-bound shipments, add fresh pressure on both Brussels and Dublin.

It forms part of a non-binding resolution on Ukraine due to be voted on in Strasbourg on Wednesday. The outcome would not immediately change EU law, but broad parliamentary backing would increase pressure on the European Commission to include alumina exports in the 21st Sanctions Package on Russia.

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Broad political backing, but Ireland remains divided

Several major political groupings in the European Parliament are expected to support the proposed export ban.

The European People’s Party (EPP), the Parliament’s largest political group, is reportedly preparing to endorse the amendment. This includes Ireland’s Fine Gael MEPs Sean Kelly, Maria Walsh, Regina Doherty and Nina Carberry.

Support is also expected from the Renew Europe group, the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), as well as members of the Greens and The Left, indicating broad cross-party backing for stronger restrictions on alumina shipments to Russia.

However, Ireland’s Fianna Fáil delegation of Billy Kelleher, Barry Cowen, Barry Andrews, and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú plans to abstain. MEP Billy Kelleher argued that any new sanctions should avoid undermining Europe’s own industrial competitiveness.

“The EU relies on alumina produced in Aughinish Alumina for its own industrial activity,” Kelleher said, suggesting prioritising Europe’s dependence on the refinery to support its domestic aluminium supply chain over foreign exports.

“I can see why people would want to ban the export of alumina to Russia. It’s the obvious and emotional thing to do, but we cannot do something that damages the EU more in the long run,” he added.

Pressure shifts to the European Commission

The issue emerged after an investigation was undertaken by the Irish Times and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, reporting that the Aughinish-produced alumina is being used to feed the Russian defence sector.

In May, 39 MEPs urged the European Commission to consider including alumina in the EU’s next sanctions package for Russia.

The issue gathered momentum as concerns were voiced by the Foreign Minister of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna, followed by the Belarusian Opposition Leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and recently, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Russian-owned refinery, located on the Shannon Estuary in County Limerick, which Swedish tax authorities have concluded remains under the control of sanctioned oligarch Oleg Deripaska.

Ireland’s Minister of State, Seán Canney, extended support for potential EU sanctions, provided the ongoing investigation proves that the Russia-bound alumina shipments are being used for military purposes.

If the MEPs’ proposal secures strong parliamentary support, pressure is likely to intensify on EU policymakers to reassess the bloc’s sanctions framework and determine whether alumina exports to Russia should be treated alongside other strategic raw materials.

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