Aughinish Alumina and Ukraine solidarity
Bacik called for Ireland’s continued support for Ukraine and raised concerns about Aughinish Alumina in that context. The Taoiseach affirmed support for Ukraine, referenced EU financial assistance and said the Aughinish issue was a fundamental concern.
The people of Ukraine have endured nearly five years of Putin's brutal war of aggression, and I know the Taoiseach spoke on it earlier today. They deserve our unwavering solidarity, particularly with the growing hostility being shown to President Zelenskyy by US President Trump. It is terrifying that lives in Ukraine are so dependent on Trump's volatile temper. At a time when our solidarity is needed more than ever with the people of Ukraine, Ireland cannot be silent or complicit for that matter. That brings me to the question of Aughinish Alumina, which I have raised before in this House. In July, the Minister, Deputy Burke, announced that his Department's review into the exports to Russia from that plant had been completed and sent to the European Commission. We saw a summary of that report, but we have not seen the full report. We know that the Government is likely to face increasing pressure at EU level over coming months over what appears to be a light touch on Aughinish. Will the Taoiseach condemn Trump's approach to Ukraine, in particular his lifting of sanctions on Russia? Where is the report? Will the Taoiseach publish it in full? Can we be sure that Irish-produced materials are not being used to fuel Russia's war machine?
Comment on this
I discussed the recent issues along with others with President Zelenskyy on Friday. I welcome the Deputy raising this issue because, to be fair, she is correct that Ukraine deserves our unwavering solidarity and support. I was extremely disappointed when the Sinn Féin Party and others, not Labour, opposed the €90 billion financial support to Ukraine that the EU decided on. Sinn Féin said that we were wrong to support that. If that funding does not go to Ukraine, it will be completely defenceless, so we have responsibilities too. On the Aughinish Alumina question, the fundamental issue is the supply chain into Europe itself. Where does Europe lie, particularly in the supply of product from Aughinish to France and to Sweden? I will talk to the Minister in respect of the full report and what he can make available to the Deputy. The bigger issue with the USA was the Starshield and Starlink issue. I think Ukraine has engaged again with the USA to try to maintain a consistency of support on that front.