Sir, – The investigation published by The Irish Times on the links between Aughinish Alumina and Russia’s military supply chain (“ From the Shannon to Siberia ”, March 24th) is timely and important, both for the substance of the story itself but also the general trend it exposes. For a long time, the clear Achilles heel in Irish foreign policy – be that in Palestine, in Ukraine, or our positioning on human rights, global justice and international development more generally – has been a deep and persistent unwillingness to properly regulate powerful corporate actors. The holding position from Minister of State at the Deparement of Justice Niall Collins gives an indication on the limits of that opposition. Whether it’s pharmaceutical giants using Ireland as a base to avoid tax, energy providers importing coal linked to serious environmental harm and abuses, or tech companies pushing back on regulation, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile Ireland’s human rights and foreign policies with the corporate reality at home. – Yours, etc,CONOR O’NEILLHead of Policy, Christian Aid Ireland,Chair, Irish Coalition for Business & Human Rights.

Source: The Irish Times March 27, 2026 18:03 UTC