Department withholds notes of talks between Aughinish Alumina and top civil servant

The Department of Enterprise has refused to release notes of discussions between its top civil servant and Aughinish Alumina management, citing protection of "highly confidential information" shared by the company. The talks occurred while officials finalised a review into the refinery's exports to Russia. Secretary general Declan Hughes held a meeting and three phone calls with Aughinish managing director Ciaran Kelleher between June and July. The department's investigation found no evidence proving alumina was ultimately used by Russian arms producers, but officials could not trace the material inside Russia or access client information of Moscow trading company ASK. Aughinish Alumina separately lobbied two Limerick TDs and the Taoiseach's chief of staff about business risks. The plant's exports to Russia account for about half its business, and the company has warned that cutting off sales could force closure, costing hundreds of jobs.