Companies to axe up to 290 jobs
There is bad news on the jobs front with up to 290 jobs being lost in Dublin and Donegal.
Largo Foods is to close its plant in Co Donegal, with the loss of 140 jobs.
Meanwhile, distribution company Wincanton may cut as many as 150 jobs from its base in Blanchardstown.
Largo Foods, the maker of Tayto and Hunky Dory crisps, is closing its factory at the Gaoth Dobhair business park in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
110 full-time and 30 part-time jobs will be lost in the closure.
Largo said it will offer 70 workers the opportunity to take jobs at its headquarters in Ashbourne, Co Meath, but it is not clear how many might be in a position to take the offer.
Wincanton added 150 of its workers in Blanchardstown face potential redundancy as it loses its contract with supermarket retailer Musgrave in September.
However, Musgrave noted it is taking its distribution network in-house and will be hiring around 134 new workers at bases in Cork, Kilcock and Fonthill.
Senator Brian O'Domhnaill said the decision to offer Largo staff in county Donegal full time positions in Meath "is impractical".
He called on the Minister for Gaeltacht Affairs, Dinny McGinley, to meet with management at Largo Foods over the issue.
