Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2025
325. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he signed off on the dismantling of Coillte Nature; if so, the consideration he took into account before doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17630/25]
View answerCoillte was set up as a commercial State body under the Forestry Act, 1988, and is therefore independent from my Department in relation to operational matters, as specified in the Act.
As one of the shareholders of Coillte, I have responsibility for the oversight of the Company in accordance with the Act and I also have expectations in relation to Coillte’s engagement in climate action, biodiversity, and nature rehabilitation, which complements the company’s contributions to the forest and wood products industry. These expectations are set out in the Shareholder Letters of Expectations, which are published on my Department’s website.
Coillte’s decision to absorb the work of Coillte Nature into Coillte’s main Forest Division is an organisational matter which did not require consent from the shareholders.
Coillte informed my Department of this reorganisation decision at a meeting in February this year. It explained that the need for a separate Nature unit has been superseded by the overall Coillte strategic vision for the forest estate, announced in 2022. This seeks to deliver multiple benefits from Ireland’s state forests, brings more focus to climate action, and sets ambitious new targets on biodiversity and recreation, while continuing to deliver for the forest and wood products industry. Coillte also explained that this reorganisation will enable a more integrated approach to all nature and biodiversity projects going forward.
Coillte’s decision to absorb the work of Coillte Nature into its main Forest Division will not interrupt any of the Coillte Nature projects that have been ongoing, and its reorganisation will not impact negatively on the objectives set out in the Coillte Strategic Vision and Strategy for its forest estate.
