Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
367. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the Russian Federation remains by far the biggest market for Irish-refined alumina, in light of the fact that such exports are capable of assisting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine and its ongoing war on that territory. [35232/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra368. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether, by continuing to supply the Russian Federation with alumina (figures to end March 2023), the State is in breach of its political commitment to its EU partners in both the matter of the war on Ukraine and global security. [35233/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together.
The EU has adopted eleven packages of sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.
The EU trade sanctions currently in place in response to situation in Ukraine are broad-ranging. It is prohibited to sell, supply, transfer or export the following categories of goods to Russia, or for use in Russia:
Dual-use goods and technology,
Specified goods and technology which might contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement,
Specified goods, generators, toy drones, laptops, hard drives, IT components, night-vision, radio navigation equipment, cameras and lenses, chemicals, commodities and machinery that might contribute to the enhancement of Russia’s industrial capabilities,
Goods and technology intended for use in Russia’s energy sector,
Specified goods and technology, suited for use in oil exploration, production or refining; or for use in liquefaction of natural gas,
Specified goods and technology suited for use in aviation or space industry, including jet fuel and fuel additives,
Specified aviation navigation and radio goods and technology, including for placing on a Russian-flagged vessel,
Specified luxury goods,
Firearms, their parts and essential components and ammunition,
Electronic components, semiconductor materials, manufacturing and testing equipment for electronic integrated circuits and printed circuit boards, precursors to energetic materials and precursors to chemical weapons, optical components, navigational instruments, metals used in the defence sector and marine equipment,
Intellectual property rights used in connection with restricted goods to prevent the sanctioned goods from simply being manufactured outside of the EU.
There are corresponding prohibitions on the provision of technical assistance, brokering services or other services, including financial services, related to these categories of goods. Also, the transit of dual use goods and certain advanced technology and aviation-related materials, as well as firearms, via the territory of Russia to third countries is also prohibited. Where a good or service is not subject to these sanctions, individual companies are responsible for deciding whether to trade with Russia or not. The Government strongly supports strong sanctions and their effective implementation.
Exports of alumina are in compliance with the EU sanctions regime applying to Russia which have been reviewed, updated and revised on several occasions including on 23 June last, and which remain subject to ongoing, vigilant review at EU level, which Ireland fully supports.
