Coillte Teoranta is a private limited company, established under the Forestry Act 1988, which operates in forestry and related activities on a commercial basis. Section 12 of the Act sets out the objects of the company, which are as follows:
To carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices,
To establish and carry on woodland activities,
To participate with others in forestry and related activities consistent with its objects, designed to enhance the effective and profitable operation of the company, and
To utilise and manage the resources available to it in a manner consistent with the above objects.
The establishment of Coillte was the outcome of a decision taken by Government during the 1980s that the State owned forests should be managed on a commercial basis. Coillte was established with effect from 1 January 1989 and the company has since developed its forestry business while also diversifying into the wood panel sector and various other related activities.
The Forest Service of my Department is the regulatory authority for the forestry sector. It is responsible for national forest policy, the control of felling, the administration of planting and other forestry grant schemes, forest protection and the promotion of private forestry. It is more appropriate for the day-to-day management of the State's forests on a commercial basis to be vested in a separate agency.
The taxpayer and Irish economy has benefited significantly from the work of Coillte in terms of direct and indirect employment, the production and processing of timber for the various markets and the provision and development of recreational facilities.