The European Union added the Rusal-owned Aughinish Alumina refinery in County Limerick to its Russia sanctions list on Tuesday as part of a new package targeting Moscow's industrial supply chains. The decision followed weeks of internal debate among member states.

Aughinish, one of Europe's largest alumina refineries, is controlled by Russian aluminium giant Rusal. Brussels had scrutinised the plant over concerns that its output sustains Russia's metals industry, which funds the Kremlin's war in Ukraine. The Irish government had previously resisted measures threatening the plant's roughly 450 jobs.

The listing formed part of the bloc's 19th sanctions package, which also tightened restrictions on the shadow fleet of tankers carrying Russian oil, according to a European Commission spokesperson. The package required unanimous approval from all 27 member states.

The Irish government sought transitional arrangements and safeguards for workers at the Askeaton facility, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed. Taoiseach and coalition ministers had faced criticism from opposition figures who argued Dublin was shielding a Russian-linked asset while professing solidarity with Kyiv.

Rusal, which has denied wrongdoing, warned that sanctions on Aughinish would disrupt aluminium supply chains across Europe and endanger jobs in Ireland's mid-west.