Rose Conway-Walsh: Ireland's EU Presidency Can't Ignore Exports
Rose Conway-Walsh addresses concerns as Ireland assumes the EU Presidency, urging decisive action over commercial links that may undermine EU sanctions. She calls for transparency in the investigation into exports from Aughinish Alumina to Russia and defends Ireland's commitment to rule of law, human rights and equality.
Rose Conway-Walsh warns that continued exports from Aughinish Alumina to Russia risk undermining the EU's unified response to Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. She asks the Minister to ensure full transparency in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment investigation and to take decisive action where required.
Conway-Walsh argues competitiveness must include protecting workers, strengthening strategic sectors and enforcing ethical business standards. She stresses that competitiveness should not mean simply protecting profits and expanding markets and reiterates support for legal entitlement to collective bargaining.
Reporting from the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Ballina, she commends the peaceful Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest and notes the presence of Medea Benjamin. Conway-Walsh says the protest sent a powerful message about what Ireland stands for in relation to Palestine and EU trade policy.
Conway-Walsh warns that until the export issue is resolved, it will cast a shadow over Ireland's EU Presidency. She frames the Presidency as an opportunity to demonstrate leadership grounded in human rights, rule of law and equality, not just market expansion.
Key concern: Ireland and EU sanctions
Rose Conway-Walsh warns that continued exports from Aughinish Alumina to Russia risk undermining the EU's unified response to Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. She asks the Minister to ensure full transparency in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment investigation and to take decisive action where required.
Competitiveness and workers' rights
Conway-Walsh argues competitiveness must include protecting workers, strengthening strategic sectors and enforcing ethical business standards. She stresses that competitiveness should not mean simply protecting profits and expanding markets and reiterates support for legal entitlement to collective bargaining.
Ballina protest and international solidarity
Reporting from the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Ballina, she commends the peaceful Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest and notes the presence of Medea Benjamin. Conway-Walsh says the protest sent a powerful message about what Ireland stands for in relation to Palestine and EU trade policy.
Consequences for the Presidency
Conway-Walsh warns that until the export issue is resolved, it will cast a shadow over Ireland's EU Presidency. She frames the Presidency as an opportunity to demonstrate leadership grounded in human rights, rule of law and equality, not just market expansion.
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Transcript
Minister, as we take over the EU Presidency, we have an opportunity to demonstrate the kind of leadership it should embody. The agenda rightly includes competitiveness, security, and Europe's economic future, but competitiveness cannot simply mean protecting profits and expanding markets. It must also mean protecting workers, strengthening strategic sectors, and ensuring that European businesses operate to the highest ethical standards. This means legal entitlement to collective bargaining. But that is why the continued exports from Ohanish Illumina to Russia remain so deeply concerning. At a time when Europe is united in imposing sanctions in response to Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, Ireland cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the commercial links that undermine that collective effort. We await the findings of the investigation from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, but you must ensure that there is full transparency and very decisive action where required. For as long as this is not dealt with, it will cast a shadow over Ireland's EU Presidency. This Presidency must reflect Ireland's value in terms of rule of law, human rights, and equality. Over the weekend in Ballina, I attended the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, hosted by Dara Cleary. When I was there, I also met and joined the protesters from the Mayor branch of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, peacefully demonstrating in solidarity with the people of Palestine. I particularly want to commend those who organised that, but also the fact that Medea Benjamin was at that protest. Minister, I think it was a really, really powerful, peaceful message to put across to all of those who are participating in the EU Presidency here, what Ireland stands for in relation to Palestine, and the fact that Ireland stands with Palestine, and particularly in relation to the EU Trade Association and what needs to be done there.