Government to engage with Tara Mine staff after 650 workers laid off

The Enterprise Minister says the Government will engage with those losing their jobs at Tara Mines.

It was announced last night 650 workers at the Meath-based site are to be temporarily laid off.

The company says it's in response to significant and unsustainable financial losses at the business.

But Adrian Kane from trade union SIPTU doesn't think it's game over for the mines:

'I wouldn't go down the road of speculation.

I don't believe this is the end of Tara Mines by any stretch of the imagination.

This is a vital part of the local and national economy and I think it will be there for the long term.

I think we need to engage with the company to see how we can mitigate the effect of these layoffs.'