The Minister for Agriculture and Marine is being urged to bring the Forestry Bill before the Dail immediately.

Labour Party Agriculture and the Marine spokesperson Seán Sherlock said the last number of months has been an "unstable" time for the sector.

Deputy Sherlock said: "I congratulate Minister Charlie McConalogue and wish him well in his brief. It is crucial, now more than ever, that confidence is restored for all stakeholders in agriculture. The past number of months has been an unstable time for the sector.

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"As a first action the Minister must bring the Forestry Bill before the Dail immediately.  We need to provide clarity for those in the Forestry sector, particularly in respect of felling licences and also to provide clarity in respect of the appeals process."