Micheal Martin said that was ‘too simplistic’ to nationalise the Limerick-based plant.

A recent Irish Times investigation found the company supplies vast amounts of raw materials to Russian aluminium smelters that then goes to a Moscow-based trading company, which in turn supplies Russia’s military industry.

While in the past, Ministers have defended the plant and said it does not have links to the Russian military, it is clear that much of the alumina ends up being used for the Russian Ministry of Defence.