The Energy Minister says the Government can't directly intervene to adjust energy prices for Tara Mines.
Trade union SIPTU has written to Eamon Ryan seeking a meeting after 650 workers were told they would be temporarily laid off.
Minister Eamon Ryan says he has yet to receive that correspondence.
"I haven't received that letter, and the Government will approach that matter in the way that's appropriate.
"Yes we will look at any issue in terms of energy prices, but it is not possible for us to directly intervene to change energy price contracts that the company may have.
"I would like to see the company return back to operation, they provide an valuable and important service to the local area, but also nationally and internationally as one of the largest zinc mines in Europe."
