The Taoiseach has expressed his regret at the announcement of job losses at Waterford Crystal, and particularly its impact on the workers and their families.
A spokesperson said the Taoiseach had met the Minister for Enterprise, Micheál Martin, and had encouraged him to be available to the company if they wished to meet him.
Mr Ahern also said the company should have the resources of FAS, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA available in order to find alternative employment for the workers and to draw up future business plans.
The ATGWU has also reacted strongly to the announcement of plans to close the plant at Dungarvan.
The parent company, Waterford Wedgwood, announced the closure with a loss of 390 jobs to staff this morning. A further 95 will be lost at the plant in Kilbarry in Waterford.
However, the union's regional organiser, Walter Cullen, has said the group's plans would not be implemented without the full support of union members.
Meanwhile, local TD and Minister for Transport Martin Cullen described the announcement as a real body blow.
He said there is an urgent need to mobilise all relevant State agencies, particularly the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and FÁS to mount a strong effort to attract new investment to Dungarvan.
Mr Cullen said he would join with employee representatives, business groups and all interested parties to turn this situation around.
In particular, he will be working immediately to ensure that the proposed decentralisation of Ordnance Survey Ireland to Dungarvan is accelerated.
Around 1,500 people are employed at the company's two plants in Waterford city and in Dungarvan. The Dungarvan plant has been in operation for more than 30 years.
A total of 1,800 jobs across the Waterford Wedgwood group are to be axed worldwide, as part of a wide-ranging cost cutting programme.
A company spokesperson said a decline in sales, particularly in the US, and a 50% drop in the value of the US dollar against the euro is the cause.
