Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions Dail Éireann — 2026-07-09 ============================================================ Peter Burke (FG), Longford-Westmeath I thank Deputy Nash for his question on this very important issue. I will say clearly and unambiguously that I share his concerns in relation to ensuring that no product produced in Ireland ends up in the Russian military complex. We are very firm in that belief. Critically, I say that in the context of a Government that has been unwavering in its support for the people of Ukraine. It has provided almost €500 million in aid and supports Ukraine at the coalface when it needs spare parts for its grid or humanitarian aid and support. The Government has fought for Ukraine in every international forum at which we have speaking rights. Critically, Ireland has provided a home for many Ukrainian citizens and provided 14,000 school places for Ukrainian children in the space of a number of months. Irish society really responded to that challenge. In connection with the report my Department is preparing, there are three competent authorities licensed to carry out these investigations: the Central Bank, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department itself. My Department has operational responsibility for policy in relation to the EU, along with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We are preparing this report on foot of that responsibility. I will put one thing very clearly on record in response to something I have heard repeated on a number of occasions. During the negotiations on the 20 sanctions packages introduced since the war in Ukraine began, our Government has never asked for any sanctions not to be imposed on Aughinish Alumina. We have never asked for any leeway. We have never lobbied on the company's behalf. I have heard suggestions in some outlets that the Irish Government was in that company's corner at key European forums. That is not true. The European Commission has brought forward 20 sanctions packages and Ireland has supported them all 100%. It is very important to put that on the record. I expect to have the report within the next ten days. At this point in time, we are working on a number of clarifications with the Ukrainian authorities. I met with the Ukrainian ambassador earlier this week. We have also been engaged with the Swedish authorities in connection with their investigations. We need some clarifications. We have to reach a certain evidential threshold before going to the European Commission. That is very challenging. I have been honest and open about that. It will be challenging to get evidence that meets that threshold. I have also said that the Revenue Commissioners are reassessing their figures because the management of Aughinish Alumina has advised that an error was made in recording the trade flows to the EU versus the trade flows to Russia. As I have pointed out in the House previously, it is my understanding that, in 2025, about 44% of exports went to Russia. I absolutely agree that it is unacceptable for any amount to get into the wrong hands. However, I must also be clear that we have to put the facts on the record. I have to meet an evidential threshold. My Department has to stress-test what is in front of it. I am hopeful that it will come to me with the final results of the investigation within the next ten days. --- Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted. Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-09/debate/main Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00 Sitting date: 2026-07-09