Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has vowed that the “Government is here to help” 650 workers who have been temporarily laid off from Tara Mines.
Mr Varadkar told the Dáil that the Swedish-owned company “appears to have done the maths” and that the rising cost of zinc has led to the closure of the Meath mine.
A new licence was issued to extend exploration at the mines just last month. Prospecting licences are typically valid for six years.
