'No plans to transfer the national forest estate to NPWS'
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has said that he has 'no plans' to transfer Coillte's forestry holdings to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
In a parliamentary question this week (June 2025) People Before Profit-Solidarity TD, Richard Boyd Barrett asked Minister Heydon if he would consider the move 'to ensure that Ireland's forestry will be preserved for non-commercial use and biodiversity will be conserved'.
Minister Heydon highlighted that Coillte was established as a commercial state company with private limited status under the Forestry Act 1988, to become custodian and manager of the national forest estate.
The minister explained that a principal object of the company, set out in the Forestry Act, is to carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis, and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices.
He said: 'The focus at the time when the company was established was to put the estate in the charge of a company that would realise its potential and support wood production.
'Coillte is currently managing 440,000 hectares of land, 7% of the total area of the Republic of Ireland.
'Coillte's role has evolved over time to reflect the company's important role in addressing the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the forestry sector and our rural economy,' Minister Heydon added.
Minister Martin Heydon
According to Minister Heydon, one-fifth of Coillte's forestry estate, or 90,000ha, is currently managed primarily for biodiversity.
'The current legislation governing the mandate of Coillte, together with government policy, the existing shareholder letter of expectations, existing national and EU legislation, along with Coillte's own strategic vision, ensures that climate action and the protection and enhancement of nature and biodiversity are integral to the company's role and operations,' the minister said.
He also claims that Coillte has a long term 'ambition' to manage 30% of its estate primarily for nature and biodiversity.
As a result, Minister Heydon said that he believes that Coillte's role as custodian and manager of the national forest estate should remain unchanged.
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