Post-European Council Meeting: Statements
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-08
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Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (SF), Cork South-Central

To pick up on some of the international issues in the Taoiseach's speech, I will take this opportunity to once again condemn the attacks on Kyiv in recent days that resulted in the deaths of many civilians. It is a clear demonstration of the war of aggression that has been waged by Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation. There was a vote today in relation to Aughinish Alumina and exports to Russia. We cannot have a situation where profits can flow to a country violating international law in relation to products potentially aiding the Russian war effort. The Government should not be passive bystanders. It should use its position to ensure the EU steps in and purchases the alumina. The workers of Aughinish do not make export decisions. Their jobs need to be protected and that is the reason we have supported the amendments in the European Parliament today regarding ending the exports of alumina to Russia.
We welcome the fact that the European Parliament is taking an interest in this issue. However, it is hypocritical that we cannot apply the same standards or urgency to arms exports to Israel or banning trade with illegal settlements. Clearly, that needs to be escalated, particularly the issue of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. It is still the case that we are reading daily reports of civilians being killed in Gaza. Five or six people are killed every single day, including children and medical professionals. It makes a mockery of the notion that there is a ceasefire.
I welcome reference to Sudan in the Taoiseach's statement. It is vitally important. While the conference earlier this year was welcome, the EU needs to do more than just provide humanitarian assistance. Ultimately, it needs to be part of a political solution and end the flow of weapons that continues uninhibited.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-08/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-08