Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
157. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline what assurances were given to a company (details supplied) in relation to a plant prior to its construction and to publish any letters containing such assurances. [5633/24]
View answerIt would be inappropriate for me to comment on any aspect of an appeal undertaken by a company in respect of an EPA decision. I note the Deputy is referring to matters dating back some 50 years ago and I am advised that IDA Ireland does not have records dating back to 1974.
Aughinish Alumina manufactures alumina, a feedstock for the production of aluminium metal, which is sold to smelters for down-stream processing. The economic benefits arising from Aughinish are significant especially to the region. It employs circa 780 people on the site in Askeaton, made up of 480 permanent direct employees along with an additional 300 permanent full-time contractors. The wage bill is c. €50 million per year and expenditure on goods and services is in excess of €44 million per year. In addition, it is the biggest user of the Port of Foynes, Askeaton, the largest ratepayer in Co. Limerick and is the county’s largest single-site user of energy which it generates from its own "CHP" (Combined Heat and Power) plants and the unused balance is sold to the Irish grid and powers c. 220,000 homes.
Similar to all IDA clients, IDA Ireland maintains a working relationship with the company. IDA Ireland can support clients on their journeys to decarbonisation.
