Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams has today called on the government to "intervene directly" to save the Ardagh Glass plant at Ringsend in Dublin.
Mr Adams met with trade union representatives and workers at the bottle plant today. Up to 375 people will lose their jobs if the planned closure, announced last March, goes ahead later this month.
The Sinn Féin leader said he was concerned that the Ardagh plant is the only glass recycling facility in the State and said if it was allowed to close it would be a "disaster" for the workers, and would exacerbate the existing waste management crisis.
"I am calling on the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Noel Dempsey and the Tánaiste Mary Harney to intervene directly to secure the future of the company and the jobs," said Mr Adams.
"The State must move in immediately," he said. "Given the essential role this plant plays in our waste management infrastructure the government is duty bound to intervene now."
Mr Adams said he supported calls from fellow party member Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin for a State takeover of the plant, in partnership with Dublin City Council and SIPTU.
He also warned that many local authorities that had invested in collection facilities throughout the country, would have no outlet for the gathered material if Ardagh closed its operation.
"This must not be allowed to happen," he said.
Repak, the group that co-ordinates and finances the recycling of packaging waste in Ireland, also said the closure of the plant would "seriously hinder Ireland’s ability to meet its recycling targets as set down by the EU".