Coillte's decision to absorb the work of Coillte Nature into its main forest division will "not impact negatively" on the objectives set out in the Coillte Strategic Vision and Strategy, according to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.

Coillte Nature was set up in 2019 as a team of four people within Coillte dedicated to restoration projects of scale across Ireland, which was a new area of focus for the business at that time.

Coillte announced its decision to “absorb the work” of Coillte Nature last month (March, 2025).

According to the organisation, the change will assist its delivery of nature restoration projects.

“Given the scale of Coillte’s strategic vision, specifically its climate and nature ambitions to 2050, this reorganisation will enable Coillte to significantly increase its delivery of climate and nature restoration projects,” it said.

Coillte was set up as a commercial state body under the Forestry Act, 1988 and is independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

However, DAFM is a stakeholder in Coillte, and has responsibility for the oversight of the company in accordance with the Forestry Act.

In response to a parliamentary question (PQ) tabled by Social Democrats TD, Jennifer Whitmore earlier this month, Minister Heydon said: "I 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.

The minister also confirmed that Coillte informed his department of it's decision in a meeting in February this year (2025).

"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," he added.