Limerick mayor calls for forum as uncertainty continues over Aughinish Alumina

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Limerick Mayor John Moran has called on the Irish government to establish a forum to improve communication with stakeholders as uncertainty continues over the future of Aughinish Alumina, Europe's largest alumina refinery.

In a letter to Taoiseach and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke, Moran proposed creating a forum involving workers, trade unions, suppliers and the wider community to help address concerns surrounding the refinery and prepare for any future decisions.

The proposal comes as debate continues over whether the Russian-owned refinery should face sanctions after reports emerged in March alleging that alumina produced at the plant may have been linked to sanctioned manufacturers supplying weapons used in Russia's war against Ukraine.

The Irish government is currently conducting an investigation into the allegations, with findings expected within the coming weeks. Aughinish Alumina has maintained that it complies with all European Union sanctions and trade regulations.

Last week, the European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution calling for a ban on exports of alumina from the European Union to Russia.

Separately, under an agreement reached in June, Aughinish Alumina will be required to fund the costs of decommissioning the refinery and restoring the surrounding environment if the plant closes.

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In his letter, Moran said a dedicated stakeholder forum would improve communication between government, employees and local communities while helping the region prepare for decisions taken at the European level.

He said the ongoing uncertainty was affecting employees, their families, suppliers and the wider community, adding that they deserved clear communication and reassurance that governments were preparing responsibly for all possible outcomes.

Aughinish Alumina employs hundreds of people and supplies approximately 30 per cent of the European Union's alumina requirements.

Moran said the proposed forum would complement the government's existing work and suggested that previous regional employment and economic taskforces could provide a suitable model.

Reaffirming his support for Ukraine, Moran said supporting Ukraine and supporting workers at Aughinish Alumina were not mutually exclusive. He added that Ireland could meet its international responsibilities while ensuring that communities such as Limerick were fully considered in future decisions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also welcomed Ireland's investigation into the refinery's exports and expressed hope that the findings will be published soon.

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