The Energy Minister says the Government can't directly intervene to adjust energy prices for Tara Mines.
Trade union SIPTU has written to Eamon Ryan seeking a meeting after 650 workers were told they would be temporarily laid off.
Minister Eamon Ryan says he has yet to receive that correspondence:
"I haven't received that letter, and the government will approach that in the way that's appropriate.
"We will look at any issue in terms of energy prices, but it is not possible for us to directly intervene to change energy price contracts that the company may have.
"But I do look to see the company return back in operation. They provide a value and important service to the local area, but also nationally and internationally is one of the largest zinc mines in Europe."
EYA18B Aerial View Of Tara Mines, Navan, Co Meath, IrelandThe company which runs the facility near Navan, says the decision was taken to safeguard its long-term future.
Boliden Tara Mines says operations are to be temporarily suspended within the next four weeks.
Employees were told at a meeting on Tuesday night it's in response to significant and unsustainable financial losses.
Gunnar Nyström, General Manager of Boliden Tara Mines said: “In the long-term interest of Boliden Tara Mines, we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend operations and place the mine into care and maintenance. Regrettably, this will mean that up to 650 employees will be laid off temporarily.
In a statement, the company said, "The business is currently cash-flow negative and the losses have been brought about by a combination of factors that have made this decision unavoidable. These factors include operational challenges, a decline in the price of zinc, high energy prices, and general cost inflation".
