OECD Policy Coherence Scan of Ireland

1.  Overview

Abstract

This chapter situates the report in the context of the OECD Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD), outlining the purpose, structure, and methodology of the analysis. It positions the Scan as both a diagnostic and a strategic contribution to Ireland’s ongoing efforts to enhance PCSD in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The chapter highlights the main findings and possible ways ahead as Ireland makes strides to translate policy ambition into implementation with the Development of its Third National Implementation Plan (NIP) for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This Policy Coherence Scan provides the diagnostic foundation for the EU-funded project “23IE10 – Building Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) across national and local government in Ireland”. It provides preliminary insights into Ireland’s performance against the OECD Council Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (hereafter the “PCSD Recommendation”) (OECD, 2019[1]). This recommendation provides a structured framework to help governments establish effective systems, structures and tools for policy coherence. It consists of eight guiding principles organised into three main pillars (Figure 1.1):

• Pillar 1. A strategic vision for implementing the 2030 Agenda, emphasising political commitment and leadership for enhancing PCSD. This involves building inclusive political support, defining priority areas and key performance indicators, and ensuring that commitment to PCSD is sustained across governmental changes.

• Pillar 2. Effective and inclusive institutional mechanisms for addressing policy interactions across sectors and aligning actions between levels of government. This includes whole-of-government co‑ordination, capacity building for PCSD within public administrations, and engaging sub-national levels of government in policy co-ordination for sustainable development.

• Pillar 3. Responsive and adaptive tools to anticipate, assess and address domestic, transboundary and long-term impacts of policies. Adherents are encouraged to introduce regular assessments, strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems and integrate policy coherence dimensions into evaluation systems to inform decision-making.

Figure 1.1. The OECD Council Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development

Source: OECD (2019[1]), OECD Council Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development, https://legalinstruments.oecd.org/en/instruments/oecd-legal-0381.

This report applies these principles along six simplified stages of the policy cycle: 1) strategy formulation; 2) planning; 3) budgeting; 4) engagement; 5) implementation; and 6) monitoring and evaluation. It examines Ireland’s institutional framework and identifies areas for improvement. The report examines how policy coherence standards, as outlined in the PCSD Recommendation, are applied to each stage of the policy cycle. It also provides suggestions for Ireland to enhance policy coherence, streamline governance structures, and ensure a more systematic approach to embedding the SDGs in decision-making processes (Table 1.1). As part of pillar 2 and principle 5 on Subnational engagement, and as agreed with the Beneficiary Authority during the design of the project, the report features an in-depth chapter (4) on SDG Localisation.

The diagnostic is based on desk research, policy analysis and engagement with national and local stakeholders. It includes insights from government officials, policy experts and institutional representatives to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities for advancing SDG-aligned policymaking in Ireland. The findings and suggestions for the way forward, summarised in Table 1.1, aim to support policymakers in refining governance structures, improving policy co-ordination and strengthening Ireland’s overall commitment to sustainable development.

Table 1.1. Main findings and suggested ways ahead

Main findings	Suggested ways ahead
Political commitment and long-term vision
Ireland demonstrates political commitment to PCSD in its Second National Implementation Plan for the SDGs 2022-2024 and the Programme for Government commits to accelerating Ireland’s progress toward the SDGs by 2030, as well as through alignment with EU sustainability frameworks. High-level committees and networks facilitate SDG integration into policies.	Promote high-level political leadership for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Strengthen political commitment by embedding PCSD actions into the Third National Implementation Plan for the SDGs and outline clear government mandates, responsibilities and functions for PCSD.
Ireland’s strategic medium- and long-term vision is evidenced by frameworks like the National Development Plan 2021-2030 and Project Ireland 2040. However, there is insufficient evidence on the long-term impacts of policies and actions, including across borders. North/South and East/West considerations are included in the Memo to Government process.	Develop a strategic long-term vision for PCSD, incorporating short-term objectives and alignment with the SDGs. Systematise impact assessments for long-term and cross-border impacts. Integrate the SDGs into existing policy tools such as the Cabinet Handbook, memoranda to the government, the Public Spending Code, Infrastructure Guidelines and RIA guidelines to inform integrated policy planning and development in line with PCSD principles.
Ireland has robust policy frameworks like the National Planning Framework and the Well-being Framework, ensuring policy integration for sustainable development. However, these frameworks are not necessarily aligned in a way that fosters PCSD, and tracking of financial resources for SDG-related initiatives is limited.	Improve policy integration by immersing the SDGs into policymaking at all levels, ensuring also that financial planning and budgeting align with SDGs. Develop SDG budgeting guidelines and improve transparency via comprehensive impact assessments and public procurement aligned with sustainability criteria.
Mechanisms to address policy interactions
Ireland ensures high-level co-ordination via the SDG Senior Officials Group and the SDG Interdepartmental Working Group. Yet, challenges arise due to unclear mandates and limited resources, particularly at local levels.	Establish clearer responsibilities and accountability mechanisms within existing government structures for effective co-ordination, drawing on, for example, the SDG Policy Map.
While there is strong national-level commitment, unclear mandates and inadequate resources hamper sub-national authorities' ability to contribute to SDG implementation effectively.	Increase funding and clarify roles for local governments in SDG implementation. Engage local-level authorities through enhanced training and capacity-building programmes tailored to PCSD principles. Align local initiatives with national and cross-border sustainability goals.
Ireland promotes stakeholder engagement, ensuring broad participation through bodies like the National SDG Stakeholder Forum and Citizens’ Assembly. However, efforts can be made to ensure that public engagement reaches decision-makers and occurs throughout the policymaking process.	Consider strengthening stakeholder engagement by establishing parliamentary SDG Committees, for example, and appointing PCSD parliamentary rapporteurs. Strengthen oversight and accountability and improve interdepartmental and parliamentary co-operation on sustainability matters.
Tools to anticipate, address and monitor policy impacts
Ireland applies RIA in policymaking and the Public Spending Code and Infrastructure Guidelines support a long-term perspective. Explicit mapping for policy synergies or transboundary impacts is limited.	Develop tools for systematic mapping of policy synergies and transboundary impacts. Expand training programmes for civil servants on methodologies and tools for enhancing PCSD and accelerating SDG implementation.
Ireland applies only the global SDG indicators for monitoring and reporting on progress. This is important but could potentially hinder the ability to identify contextual national challenges. Monitoring and evaluation of PCSD can be improved by strengthening data collection on policy impacts.	Strengthen monitoring and evaluation by developing comprehensive and regularised reporting mechanisms for the SDGs, including on SDG Global indicator 17.14.1. Complement the global SDG indicators with national targets and measurements that reflect Ireland’s national context, to complement various existing sectoral targets such as carbon budgets, CAP actions and indicators attached to the Wellbeing Framework. Strengthen data collection on policy impacts – going beyond outputs – and promote systematic use of impact assessments.

Notes: The Cabinet Handbook is an internal government (Cabinet) guide for ministers. Its purpose is to assist ministers and officials in the preparation of matters to be dealt with at government meetings, in accordance with the principles of collective responsibility (https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/cabinet-handbook/). A Memorandum to Government is put forward by a Minister, for information, or where proposals require a Government decision.

Source: Authors’ elaboration.

Reference

[1] OECD (2019), OECD Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development, https://legalinstruments.oecd.org/en/instruments/oecd-legal-0381.