FIANNA FÁIL’S FOUR MEPs will abstain in a non-binding vote tomorrow to add Aughinish Alumina in Limerick to the EU’s Russian sanctions list. 

Sinn Féin, Labour and Ireland’s four Fine Gael MEPs intend to vote in favour of sanctions to stop alumina exports to Russia.

This afternoon, the European Parliament will debate a resolution to adopt the 2025 European Commission Report on Ukraine, which includes two amendments to ban the export of alumina to Russia.

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, tabled the vote requests over the weekend.

The amendments come 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. 

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

A Fianna Fáil source said its MEPs’ decision to abstain is “multifaceted” and stressed that it is the European Commission’s remit to impose sanctions, not the European Parliament.

They added that the party does not believe it is right to vote in favour of sanctions until the investigation into Aughinish Alumina is complete. 

Furthermore, they noted that more of the produce from Aughinish goes to EU member states than to Russia and said the purpose of sanctions is to “hurt Russia more than Europe”. 

The source said if the investigation finds unequivocally that exports from Aughinish Alumina have been aiding Russia’s war efforts, and the European Commission proposes sanctions, Fianna Fáil will support them.

Although the European Parliament vote on sanctions this week will be non-binding, it is likely to further increase the pressure on Ireland to address the situation with Aughinish Alumina.

It is unclear how Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly and Independents Luke Ming Flanagan and Michael McNamara will vote.

In a statement, Sinn Féin said it will support both the EPP and S&D amendments and called on the EU to step in and purchase the Limerick plant.

“The workers of Aughinish don’t make export decisions and their jobs need to be protected,” the party said, adding, however, that profits cannot flow into a country violating international law.

“The EU has said that the alumina is a critical material to the bloc so now they must demonstrate that through action,” the party said.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said in recent days that nationalising the firm is ‘not on the agenda right now’.

Fine Gael’s four MEPs have previously said they are deeply concerned by reports that exports from Aughinish Alumina are being used in Russia’s war efforts against Ukraine.

“We fully support further measures that increase pressure on Russia and reinforce our unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” the MEPs said last month.

Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty said she supports a full ban on the export of alumina from the EU to Russia and that Europe cannot continue supplying strategic materials to a regime “waging an illegal and brutal war on our continent”.

“Every day Putin’s invasion claims more innocent lives. If Europe is serious about standing with Ukraine, we cannot allow a single shipment to strengthen Russia’s economy or its war machine.

“Whether Irish-refined alumina is helping to sustain Russia’s economy or supporting its war effort, the distinction is meaningless. These exports must stop. There can be no delay, no excuses and no exceptions,” she said. 

Alumina is one of the main ingredients of aluminium, which is a vital component for hundreds of industrial, commercial and military goods.