On Friday trade union SIPTU asked Transport minister Eamon Ryan to deny the ship entry into Dublin port, citing concerns among the workers who would have to unload the oil.
"Given the unfolding horror in Ukraine, [workers] who are expected to unload this vessel are angry and upset at being put in this position," said Siptu Divisional Organiser Karan O’Loughlin.
Ryan said he acknowledged the union's concerns but as Russian oil is not currently included in the EU's sanctions, there "would not be any legal basis to refuse to accept" the ship's cargo.
"We fully understand the concerns of the Siptu members with regard to the cargo of oil due to arrive to Dublin Port over the weekend," he said. "However, the strongest pressure we can put on the Russian government now is to continue to ensure that we maintain a resolute, united European response on already agreed sanctions. He said the current sanctions are effective and that 'discussions continue' with the EU on implementing further measures. As matters currently stand, the European sanctions applying to Russia exclude oil product. Petrol, diesel, home heating oil and kerosene are not subject to sanctions and there would not be any legal basis to refuse to accept such products."
