The Government has been warned to protect Bord na Móna workers as the company enters a restructuring process.

The firm announced it is to exit the coal business and cease production of convenient products such as fire packs and fire-logs in Kildare.

Fianna Fáil TD Fiona O'Loughlin said: "I've been informed that 11 jobs will be impacted on by the recently announced changes, but overall there are 450 workers based in Kildare. It's of vital importance that these workers are not forgotten about during this restructuring process.

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"Every effort needs to be made to redeploy staff to new roles if it is necessary to do so. Everyone recognises the need for Bord na Móna to diversify into new renewable energy technologies in order to continue expanding in the years ahead. However this can only be achieved if the Government provides the support that is necessary to help the company break into new markets such as biomass energy."

(CD)