The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, has been sharply criticised by the Opposition following the serving of protective notice to 550 workers at Braun in Carlow town.
Fine Gael senator and local councillor, Mr Fergal Browne, said Ms Harney had not delivered on her promise to bring employment to the town.
And Labour Party TD for Kildare South, Mr Jack Wall, said she was "unwilling and unable" and tackle the recent spate of job losses.
Braun today blamed SIPTU for its decision to put all industrial and technical staff on notice. It said the union was endorsing an unofficial ban on overtime at the plant in a dispute over redundancy terms.
Braun issued a statement today saying redundancy terms had been agreed and endorsed by Labour Court but that the union were still in dispute with management over the issue.
"Management have stated their readiness to resume discussions with SIPTU representatives upon the ban being lifted and in the event that the discussions are inconclusive the matter to be referred to the Labour Court. The offer had been rejected by SIPTU," the statement said.
A SIPTU representative said they could not comment on the redundancies but were trying to find a resolution to the dispute.
Meanwhile, Mr Wall said Ms Harney had time to avert hundreds of people being forced onto the dole queue but warned that a task force would not be sufficient to address the problem.
"The Tanaiste has proved unwilling and unable to respond to recent losses, but now has been given time to come-up with a rescue plan for the area.
"It demands fresh initiatives from the Tánaiste to spearhead job creation in the area," Mr Wall said.
Mr Browne was also critical of the Tánaiste and urged her to intervene, "rather than waiting to react when numerous jobs are lost".
"Carlow has been snubbed on numerous occasions by the Tánaiste and this Government. We are the only town not to have been given gateway or hub status in the National Spatial Strategy.
"Mary Harney promised new jobs at the recently developed business park, but none have been forthcoming.
He also said management at Braun had questions to answer over the long-term intentions for the plant and why the entire workforce had been threatened with redundancy.