Chocolate manufacturer Cadbury Ireland has announced that 200 jobs are to go at its Coolock and Rathmore manufacturing sites.
The company, which has been manufacturing in Ireland for over 75 years, blamed the job losses on a "difficult trading environment".
In order to reduce costs "consistent with the economic realities", the company said a reduction of up to 200 jobs is required at its Coolock plant in Dublin and at its Rathmore plant in Co Kerry in order to safeguard continuing operations in Ireland.
Cadbury Ireland, which employs over 1,100 people, currently exports more than 75 per cent of its production output to the UK and North American markets.
The company said it has seen a decline in export demand due to the high cost of manufacturing and currency fluctuations.
Cadbury Ireland is currently conducting briefings with employee representatives to discuss the cuts and has said it will not make any further comment until this process is complete.
However, in a statement issued this afternoon, Cadbury said it remained committed to its Irish operation and announced a €20 million investment in Coolock.
Siptu organiser Peadar Nolan said, “Local union representatives will consider in detail the announcement and proposals being put forward by the company."
"We will not be commenting any further at this point, but needless to say our priority will be the retention of jobs,” he concluded.
Labour Party spokesman on Transport Tommy Broughan and TD for Dublin North East said the development was devastating news for the workers at Cadburys and for the wider community.
Mr Broughan said he would appeal to Cadbury to explore "all possible ways of retaining these vitally important jobs in Dublin and Kerry."
Fine Gael Dublin North-East Deputy, Terence Flanagan said the development was the "latest devastating blow to the area."
"Unemployment is sky-rocketing, as seen with jobs being lost daily all over North Dublin, and with little in the way of job creation in the area, the future looks bleak," he added.
Cadbury Ireland was established in 1932 and is a subsidiary of Cadbury Plc, the world's largest confectionery manufacturer.
