Confectionery company Cadbury is seeking to cut up to 200 jobs at its plants in Coolock in Dublin and Rathmore, Co Kerry.
In a statement, the company said recent currency movements had added to the high cost of manufacturing in Ireland.
'This loss of competitiveness has led to a decline in export demand,' it added, saying it needed to cut costs in line with the economic realities.
Cadbury Ireland exports more than 75% of its output to the UK and North American markets and will have been affected by the weakness of sterling and the dollar against the euro.
But the company says it remains committed to its Irish business and has announced a €20m investment in its Coolock facility.
It said its proposals for job cuts had been put forward to protect more than 900 jobs at the company for the future.
Cadbury said it was holding briefings and consultations with workers' representatives on its plans.
