US pharmaceutical giant Schering-Plough, which employs over 400 people in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, is seeking 76 redundancies, it was announced this morning.
The job losses are to be spread throughout the company and are being blamed on what the company described as "decreases in product volume".
The company said the job losses would be sought through voluntary redundancies and that talks would begin immediately with staff and union groups.
The pharmaceutical company established a manufacturing plant in Rathdrum in 1981.
The Labour Party deputy leader Ms Liz McManus said the announcement was "a major shock to the area" given the company's status as a major employer in Rathdrum for decades". The economic impact of the closure would be "deeply felt throughout Wicklow".
She said the Government had a duty to intervene and deal with job cuts and she asked that the Tánaiste establish a task force to look into job creation in the region.
Fine Gael's enterprise and employment spokesman Mr Phil Hogan said the loss of 76 jobs was a major blow to staff and to the area in general.
"This is the second major series of redundancies at a Schering-Plough plant this year, and it proves beyond doubt that this Government's policies continue to force people out of work.
"By imposing stealth taxes and charges the Government has only managed to drive up the cost of doing business in this country, and has made it harder for Irish businesses to compete with overseas companies," he said.
"It's time for Tánaiste Mary Harney to conduct a review of her industrial policies in order to minimise future job losses."
