ARGOS CLOSURE ‘A HUGE BLOW FOR WORKERS’

TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said that the announcement that Argos is to pull out of Ireland with the loss of almost 600 jobs is a huge blow for the workers in the Tallaght store and those across the state. Teachta Crowe said “I want to extend my sympathy and solidarity to the Argos workers who learned this morning that the business is to pull out of Ireland with the loss of almost 600 jobs. “This is a huge blow to the workers in the Tallaght store and across the state. “It is essential that the company engage quickly and in good faith with the workers’ trade union, Mandate, during this period. “We have seen too often in the past where a business up sticks and closes down, leaving workers in the lurch. That cannot be allowed to happen again.”

Mark Ward TD has welcomed the department of Health’s decision not to continue sponsoring RTE show Operation Transformation. Last year, Teachta Ward criticised the Department of Health when he received information that RTÉ received over €460,000 in the previous two years in sponsorship for Operation Transformation which has recently been criticised by eating disorder groups.

Teachta Ward said “I welcome that the Dept of Health has not continued to sponsor the RTE programme Operation Transformation this year

“I think the Department of Health have much better ways to spend public money than sponsoring Operation Transformation to the tune of €460,000 in the previous two years. “TV licence payers are basically being taxed on the double for this show.

“I raised this issue last year when I became aware of the situation, and I am happy that taxpayer’s money will not be used to sponsor the show. “There has been recent criticism of the show from eating disorder groups like Bodywhys. Which stated that that community sanctioned dieting culture does little to achieve longlasting weight loss or health promotion.

“This follows on from strong criticism of the show by eating disorder support groups who accused the show of triggering some people with the condition, causing them distress and mental health problems.

“I welcome that last year a new citizen engagement campaign was designed by the Department of Health in consultation with the HSE and key stakeholders including Bodywhys & the Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity.

“This is a much better process and it’s important that eating disorder advocates are part of the conversation. “The Department of Health has failed to provide services for people with eating disorders and should be targeting the resources into services that people are crying out for.

At Palmerstown Camera Club they hold a weekly meeting in person, every Wednesday from 8 pm to 10 pm in the Palmerstown Parish Hall. People interested in joining the club or even attending one or two meetings FREE of charge to see how their photography could benefit from being a member can do so by contacting secpcc@mail. com.

Recently in Palmerstown Camera Club, they held a judging night for a themed competition “Leading Lines” and the winning image in the Advanced category was Among the Pillars by Elaine Butler. It was also chosen as image of the month.