A local TD says the necessary resources to enforce the new Forestry Bill needs to be immediately allocated.
Sligo/Leitrim Fianna Fail Deputy, Marc MacSharry, made the comments in the Dail yesterday.
The emergency legislation was passed in the Dail last week and aims to reform the way appeals lodged against forestry licences are processed.
There has been a shortage of timber in ireland due to EU environmental laws affecting the sector with the likes of GP Wood sawmill in Co. Cork having to import wood from Scotland.
Deputy MacSharry says the likes of Masonite in Co. Leitrim employ 140 people and the new bill is needed to ensure there is a steady supply of timber.
He says the correct decision needs to be made in the interest of both the industry and local communities.
