Midlands Senator wants Irish whiskey removed from Russian shelves

Midlands Senator Garret Ahearn is leading a campaign to persuade one of the world's largest drinks distribution companies to remove the Jameson brand of Irish whiskey from shelves in Russia.

Senator Ahearn told the Tribune the unashamed contravence of sanctions on products sold in Russia imposed since the invasion of Ukraine goes against Ireland's firm stance on exports.

He said Jameson whiskey bottled in Dublin last December is openly for sale in Moscow. He also secured photos of Jameson whiskey, complete with Russian labelling showing the bottling date of December 16th last in Clondalkin, on sale in Russia this month.

Senator Ahearn, Vice Chairperson of the Enterprise, Trade & Employment Affairs committee, called for owners of the iconic Irish brand, Pernod Ricard, to be added to the EU sanctions list at the next Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting.

The French drinks giant resumed shipments to Russia last year after initially stalling exports following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Last month, the company said they were working to stop the export of drinks, including Jameson Irish whiskey, to Russia, but no date was announced.

The Tipperary Fine Gael Senator said the time has come for international action to be taken as the French company won’t show unity with the European Union.

“The images of a famous Irish product, complete with the address of Irish Distillers Limited and the Clondalkin address of the bottling operation, are there for all to see on the Russian label. It was bottled less than five months ago and is now sold in central Moscow despite the war in Ukraine.

“The bottle’s label states the Russian importer authorised to collect claims is PR Rus JSC, 119034, Russian Federation, Moscow, Sechenovsky", he explained.

“So, while Russian drones and missiles rain down on Kyiv this week, our Jameson whiskey continues to quench Putin’s thirst. Time’s up. This can’t continue.

The label of the bottle of Jameson on sale in Moscow

“The time has come for EU action to be taken as the Pernod Ricard commercial decision has not been clear enough or transparent.

“The Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin should bring this up at this month’s foreign affairs council with his European counterparts to broaden the sanction packages and add Pernod Ricard to the sanctions list.

“I’d encourage the Tánaiste to ask other European Foreign Affairs Ministers to look at their own industries where luxury goods have started to slip back into Russia.

“It seems obvious now, that Pernod Ricard has no intention of withdrawing Jameson from the Russian market and are squeezing it for all they can. It is therefore time for the Irish Government to intervene, to protect our international reputation and that of our world renowned famous products,” Senator Ahearn said.