440 jobs are set to be lost with the closure of the Viatris manufacturing facility in Baldoyle in North County Dublin.
It's part of a major restructuring of the international firm which was announced today.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar says it is really devastating news for those working in Viatris and their families.
He says he has been assured there will be no immediate reductions and that the majority of the workforce will remain employed until late 2022.
Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North - Deputy Cian O'Callaghan - says the fallout from the global restructuring of the company couldn't have come at a worse time: "I think the timing right before Christmas, given the year, is very poor form on the company's part.
"It's hard to understood why they would choose to do this two weeks before Christmas."
