Government to cooperate with EU on potential Aughinish Alumina sanctions pending independent report
Monday 6 July 2026
The Irish Government has pledged to work with the European Union to update trade sanctions if an independent report confirms Limerick-produced alumina supports Russia's military.
The Irish Government has confirmed it will cooperate with the European Union to update sanctions on exports to Russia if an independent investigation reveals that products from the Aughinish Alumina refinery in County Limerick are being used by the Russian military.
A Government minister stated that Ireland will work with EU authorities to review trade measures once the pending independent report is finalised. The investigation is examining whether alumina exported from the Limerick facility is entering supply chains that support the Russian armed forces.
Currently, Aughinish Alumina supplies raw materials to Russian aluminium smelters, which produce metal used by arms manufacturers. While existing European Union sanctions on Russia cover various metals and alloys, they explicitly exclude alumina produced at the Limerick site.
If the independent inquiry confirms that the facility's exports contribute to Russia's war effort in Ukraine, the Irish Government has indicated it will support the introduction of EU-level sanctions. The US Treasury previously lifted sanctions on EN+ and Rusal, the parent companies of Aughinish Alumina.