THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT has passed a non-binding vote calling for a ban on the export of all alumina to Russia, in a move that increases pressure on the Irish Government in relation to Aughinish Alumina in Limerick. 

Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Féin MEPs, as well as Independent Luke Ming Flanagan, voted in favour of the call to ban alumina exports to Russia.

Fianna Fáil’s four MEPs abstained from the vote, while Independent Ireland’s Ciaran Muloolly voted against it.

Independent MEP Michael McNamara indicated earlier this week that he would also be voting against it.

The amendment relating to alumina exports was part of a wider resolution to adopt the 2025 European Commission Report on Ukraine. The same amendment was put down by the European People’s Party group in the European Parliament, of which Fine Gael is a member, and the Socialists and Democrats group, of which Labour is a member.

The amendments came in response to increasing pressure on Ireland and the EU over the Aughinish Alumina plant in Foynes, Co Limerick.

It has been claimed that the exports to Russia from the plant (which is owned by Russian oligarch and Putin ally Oleg Deripaska) have been used in the country’s war efforts against Ukraine.

A government investigation is currently underway into the firm’s exports and is expected to be complete in the coming weeks.

Speaking ahead of today’s vote, Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews said that while he is in favour of ending trade of alumina with Russia, the “blunt wording” of the amendments “did not consider the risks to the European supply chain of this critical resource”.

Andrews said the fact that the amendments did not recognise that the Irish government is currently investigating Aughinish Alumina also informed his decision to abstain.

He said however, that as someone “fully supportive” of Ukraine, he finds it “very frustrating” that the report has still not been published. 

“It has been 15 weeks since the Irish Times revelations on Aughinish Alumina,” he said.

“Having seen the devastating effect of Russian bombing myself in Kiev and Kharkiv, Ireland must not, in any way, be part of supporting the Russian military.

 ”In my view, it is highly likely alumina exported from Ireland is being used in the Russian military and that these exports have increased since 2022. It is also now clearer that the beneficial owner of the company is still a pro-Putin oligarch.

“If this is confirmed, the Irish government must urgently work with our EU partners to close off these exports, stop supplying the Russian war machine and divert the company’s supply chains.”

He agreed with Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan that the State should consider nationalising the company, a move the government has so far rejected. 

Meanwhile, Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin was highly critical of Fianna Fáil’s decision to abstain on the vote. 

Speaking to reporters in Strasbourg this morning, he said: 

“It kind of makes a mockery of having the President of Ukraine in Dublin, if within a week Irish MEPs are not going to vote to effectively sanction that plant for what it is doing”.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty said she was glad to see the strong cross party support on the issue within the parliament.

“I have supported Ukraine at every step because this is a war on our continent. Russia’s invasion has affected families and economies across Europe, including here in Ireland. Now is not the time to send mixed messages.

“Russia is not our ally. We should not be helping to strengthen its economy while it continues to inflict pain and suffering on the people of Ukraine.

“This is an EU-wide measure, but I also recognise the concerns of workers at Aughinish. Their jobs matter, and every effort should be made to protect them as Europe continues to stand with Ukraine,” Doherty said.

Back in March of this year, an investigation by the Irish Times found that vast amounts of alumina produced in Limerick is used to manufacture weapons in Russia.