Government Of Ireland Research Articles

The Multilevel Implications of a Sinn Féin Government in Ireland

AbstractThe electoral growth of Sinn Féin on both sides of the Irish border has generated much political and academic attention in recent years. The party could form part of the government in Dublin for the first time at the next Irish general election, though that outcome is far from certain. If it were to gain power, Sinn Féin is likely to pursue policies which address the core socioeconomic issues its new supporters south of the border are concerned with, namely housing and healthcare. It will also be expected to push for an Irish unification referendum in the coming decade. While Sinn Féin entering government would clearly constitute a seismic event in the politics of the Irish state, there would also be knock‐on effects for politics in Northern Ireland, as well as British‐Irish and EU‐Irish relations. This article examines the impact Sinn Féin gaining power in Dublin could have on these various political dynamics, arguing the party exerts a unique influence on Irish, UK and European politics.

‘We all have to do our bit': literacy practice, perceptions and policy in Irish primary and post-primary schools

ABSTRACT Over a decade has passed since the publication and enactment of the first National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy (NLNS; Department of Education and Skills. 2011. Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life: The National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011–2020. Dublin: Department of Education and Skills). This paper provides insights into the reality of its enactment across a range of primary and post-primary settings. Drawing on qualitative data from interviews (n = 30) and quantitative data from a survey (n = 455) of primary and post-primary teachers, the paper charts commonalities and differences across these two sectors. Qualitative data indicated that the NLNS was successful in putting literacy on the agenda, with a range of consequent policy and practices reported by teachers. The teaching of literacy tended to be grounded in largely traditional conceptualisations of print-based reading and writing, with limited reference to digital or multimodal practices. Quantitative data highlighted the divergence of opinions between teachers from both sectors, particularly in relation to students’ literacy skills on entry to post-primary school and in DEIS settings. As policymakers prepare for the enactment of a successor strategy (Government of Ireland. 2024a. Ireland’s Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024–2033: Every Learner from Birth to Young Adulthood. Dublin: Government of Ireland), the paper concludes by addressing implications for the next decade of literacy-focussed policy in Irish schools.

Towards an All-Ireland Diamond Open Access Publishing Platform: The PublishOA.ie Project—2022–2024

The Government of Ireland has set a target of achieving 100% open access to publicly funded scholarly publications by 2030. As a key element of achieving this objective, the PublishOA.ie project was established to evaluate the feasibility of establishing an all-island [Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland] digital publishing platform for Diamond Open Access journals and monographs designed to advance best practice and meet the needs of authors, readers, publishers, and research funding organisations in Irish scholarly publishing. It should be noted in this context that there is substantial ‘north–south’ cooperation between public bodies in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom, some of whom operate on what is commonly termed an ‘all-island’ basis. The project commenced in November 2022 and will run until November 2024, with the submission of a Final Report. This article originated as an interim project report presented in September 2023 at the PubMet2023 conference in Zadar, Croatia. The project is unique in its mandate to report on the feasibility of a shared platform that will encompass scholarly publishing across the two jurisdictions on the island of Ireland, which are now, post-Brexit, inside and outside the European Union (EU): the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the United Kingdom. The project is co-led by the Royal Irish Academy (RIA), Ireland’s leading body of experts in the Sciences and Humanities, and the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Institute of Trinity College Dublin. There are sixteen partners and affiliates from universities and organisations from the island of Ireland. The feasibility study will be based on a review of the publishing practices in the island of Ireland, with gap analysis on standards, technology, processes, copyright practices, and funding models for Diamond OA, benchmarking against other national platforms, and specifications of the requirements, leading to the delivery of a pilot national publishing platform. A set of demonstrator journals and monographs will be published using the platform, which will be actively trialled by the partner publishers and authors. PublishOA.ie aims to deliver an evidence-based understanding of Irish scholarly publishing and of the requirements of publishers to transition in whole or in part to Diamond OA. This paper provides an interim report on progress on the project as of September 2023, ten months after its commencement.

Data Management Plan for a rapid response sub-study of an existing cohort. The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) COVID-19 sub-study

A Data Management Plan (DMP) is a formal document that outlines the management and stewardship of data generated over the lifecycle of a research project from data collection, and governance structures, to the long-term preservation of data outputs. DMPs are an important feature of good research practice. Our aim is to provide details of the development of a DMP that others can learn from and adapt to their specific needs. Our DMP was developed as part of a COVID-19 sub-study of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), titled “Altered lives in a time of crisis: preparing for recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of older adults”. TILDA is a longitudinal study of community-dwelling older adults. In 2009/2010, an initial nationally representative sample of 8,500 adults aged 50 years and older were selected. The sample for the COVID-19 study were recruited from this existing sample. The objective of the sub-study was to document the lives and experiences of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic to better understand the effect of the pandemic and public health responses on their well-being. This DMP describes the study design and objectives; data collection tools and procedures; data preparation; data storage and security; data sharing and preservation; and ethical and legal considerations within the European Union and Irish Health Research legislative context. Responsible data governance in Ireland is complex, requiring adherence to both European and Irish legislation. Implementation of the Health Information Bill (2023) may bring further complexities to this context. It is therefore crucial that researchers, data stewards, and other practitioners, share their expertise freely, as we have done here, so that others can learn from their experiences and the health research community can develop standards of best practice.

The interests, ideas, and institutions shaping public participation in local climate change governance in Ireland

ABSTRACT Public participation in local governance is crucial for effective climate action and for ensuring that policies are designed in a way that respects the rights of communities. Policy developments and choices are shaped by the groups that participate, by the ideas that they hold, and by the institutions that enable and constrain their participation. This paper seeks to understand local climate change governance in Ireland by identifying the environmental interests and the ideas of the groups that participate, and by examining how they engage with institutionalised local policymaking processes and with the organisations that represent the officially recognised views of the country’s national environmental movement. An analysis of survey data collected from the groups that are members of one of Ireland’s Public Participation Networks shows that a majority of groups are small, rural, voluntary, interested in a wide variety of environmental issues and have a pro-ecological worldview. Most groups follow a pro-institutional advocacy strategy at the local level, while only a minority interact with the national environmental movement, mostly limiting their engagement to the acquisition of information. This paper contributes to the literature that examines how interests, ideas, and institutions shape public participation in local climate politics.

COMPANY SECRETARIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IN MODERN IRISH CORPORATIONS: A REVIEW OF THE STRATEGIES AND BEST PRACTICES ADOPTED IN COMPANY SECRETARIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

This study embarked on a comprehensive exploration of the strategies and best practices adopted in company secretarial and administrative services within modern Irish corporations. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving corporate governance landscape, the research aimed to understand the multifaceted roles of company secretaries, the economic ramifications of efficient administrative services, and their legal significance within Ireland's regulatory frameworks. A mixed-method approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, was employed to delve into the historical evolution and the contemporary challenges faced by administrative services in Irish corporations. Key findings highlighted a paradigm shift in the responsibilities of company secretaries, emphasizing their strategic importance in governance structures. The study also underscored the significance of continuous learning, stakeholder participation, and the integration of technological advancements in enhancing administrative services. The analysis provided a holistic understanding of the challenges faced by company secretaries in Ireland and offered actionable recommendations. These recommendations advocate for a clearer understanding of reporting obligations, fostering a culture of continuous professional development, and leveraging digital solutions to streamline administrative processes. In conclusion, the research offers a roadmap for corporations, regulators, and stakeholders, guiding them towards sustainable growth, profitability, and unwavering stakeholder trust in the realm of corporate governance in Ireland.
 Keywords: Corporate Governance, Company Secretarial Services, Irish Corporations, Stakeholder Trust.

National constitutional identity as a tool for protecting the autonomy of the EU legal order: Costello v. The Government of Ireland

National constitutional identity as a tool for protecting the autonomy of the EU legal order: <i>Costello v. The Government of Ireland</i>

Book Review: We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Ireland Since 1958 by O’Toole, FintanFinal Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes by Government of Ireland's Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Book Review: <i>We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Ireland Since 1958</i> by O’Toole, Fintan<i>Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes</i> by Government of Ireland's Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Under the radar: Ireland, maritime security capacity, and the governance of subsea infrastructure

ABSTRACT Subsea infrastructure is typically out of sight, but in recent times, seldom out of mind. The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in October 2022 has magnified the vulnerability and critical importance of subsea infrastructure. It also exposed a lack of understanding on how subsea networks operate, how they are regulated, who controls them and how they are protected. Ireland matters in this context. Despite its official policy of neutrality, Ireland occupies an important strategic position in terms of transatlantic telecommunications cables between the United States, Britain and continental Europe. The conflict in Ukraine has amplified tensions in this context in terms of the increased threat of grey-zone/hybrid warfare activity. This article will consider for the first time how a global connectivity hub on the western periphery of Europe governs critical underwater infrastructure. It will discuss the context and agencies involved in subsea cable governance in Ireland and identify the gaps in this protection before formulating suggestions for the long-term improvement of Ireland’s maritime security capacity. The Irish case is important as it can help inform defence policy and security practice in other island states with large maritime jurisdictions and in particular states with small navies.

Patrick Costello v the Government of Ireland, Ireland and the Attorney General: Obstacles to the Ratification of CETA in the Irish Constitutional Context

Patrick Costello v the Government of Ireland, Ireland and the Attorney General:<i> Obstacles to the Ratification of CETA in the Irish Constitutional Context</i>

The importance of communication and involvement in decision-making: A study in Ireland exploring birth satisfaction using the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R).

Evaluation in healthcare services has become a priority, globally1. The Government of Ireland has highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement to identify the needs of women in the design and delivery of high-quality health services, driven by necessity rather than financial ability2. The Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R), an internationally validated tool, and recommended for measuring childbirth satisfaction by the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM)3; however, it has yet to be considered in the Irish context. The aim of the study was to explore birth satisfaction with a sample of new mothers in Ireland. A mixed-methods study was conducted including a survey that involved collection of data from the BSS-R 10-item questionnaire from 307 mothers over an 8-week period in 2019, in one urban maternity hospital in Ireland. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Qualitative data from the free-text comments of the survey questions were analyzed using content analysis. Overall, women reported positive relationships with their care providers and were satisfied with the communication and support they received, as well as high levels of control and choice. Postnatal care, however, was highlighted as being less satisfactory with staffing levels described as inadequate. Understanding women's birth experiences and what is important to them could facilitate midwives and other health professionals to improve the quality of their care and develop guidelines and policies that focus on women and their families' needs. The vast majority of women rated their birthing experience as extremely positive. The main elements of care that contributed to a positive birthing experience for women were quality relationships with clinicians, choice and control, and emotional safety.

Reflections on recent developments in the governance of schools in Ireland and the role of the church

This article analyses recent developments in school governance in Ireland. The context for school governance in Ireland is changing. Features of this new context include increased population diversity partly because of immigration; an increasingly negative attitude to religion; a decline in religious observance; economic growth; the school performance compared with other countries; increasing population size; the nature of the electoral system, which brings local issues to the fore; and the unionization of the teaching profession, which affects system change. This changing context is set against the embedded and strong influence of organised religion. Disquiet at the church's influence on educational policy and practice is increasing. The government's intention to address this influence is slow to impact but evidence indicates that the role of religious institutions in school governing in Ireland is declining. Because the present situation is unsustainable, a crisis in school patronage is looming.

Transitioning from blue growth to the sustainable blue economy: A review of Ireland’s new marine governance in the aquaculture sector

This paper reviews the evolution of marine governance in Ireland in response to EU policy requirements in relation to the development of a sustainable blue economy in coherence with the United Nations Ocean Decade (2021-2030). In response to these EU requirements, Ireland has introduced the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) and Maritime Area Planning Act, 2021 (MAPA) in 2021 to deliver this sustainable blue economy. This new marine and coastal governance framework in Ireland reforms the consenting regime for key blue economy sectors such as Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) and sets new policy requirements for the integration of aquaculture within the MSP framework. However, the exclusion of aquaculture from the new consenting regime may hinder the full integration of the sector into MSP and impede compliance with environmental goals established by EU Directives (e.g., WFD, MSFD, MSPD). This review identifies policy and legal gaps which may impede the integration of aquaculture into the new Irish marine governance and national MSP process. Furthermore, this paper analyses aquaculture licensing cases to assess the integration of environmental criteria into planning decisions to gather insight into the readiness of the sector’s transition towards a sustainable model. The analysis from this paper indicates that the legal framework underpinning MSP in Ireland may have a limited impact on the integration of aquaculture and hinder the delivery of sustainability across all marine sectors.

Exploring the facilitation of meaningful leisure activities in designated centres for older persons (nursing homes) in Ireland: A protocol for content documentary analysis of HIQA inspection reports.

Background: Nursing homes (NHs) in Ireland are regulated by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). Regulations for nursing homes under the Health Act 2007 (as amended) states that registered providers must provide residents with facilities for occupation and recreation, and opportunities to participate in activities in accordance with their interests and capacities (Government of Ireland, 2013 - S.I. No. 415/2013). Despite the proven benefits of engagement in meaningful activities, when an older person enters a NH, they often lose autonomy in occupational roles, and engagement in meaningful activities (Causey-Upton, 2015). In 2019, HIQA highlighted that there were relatively high levels of non-compliance in the area of residents’ rights (HIQA, 2020). Aim: Given the central role of leisure activities to older adults’ health and well-being, this study aims to understand how NH residents in Ireland were afforded opportunities for meaningful engagement in activities prior to and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (2019 – 2021). This will be conducted through analysing a sample of publicly available HIQA inspection reports for NHs from 2019 – 2021. Methods: A content documentary analysis will be conducted using a qualitative deductive approach. Purposive sampling will be used to select 21 nursing home reports for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. The sample will include nursing homes reported to be non-compliant, substantially compliant and compliant in the regulation of residents’ rights. An inspection report for each of these NHs (n=21) for the year 2019, 2020 and 2021 will create a sample of 63 reports for analysis. This sample will capture three time points for the 21 NHs pre-pandemic and throughout the pandemic.

Brexit and Strand Three of the 1998 Agreement: The Three Faces of East‐West

Under Strand Three of the 1998 Belfast ‘Good Friday’ Agreement, institutions were set up to promote the ‘harmonious and mutually beneficial development’ of the ‘totality of relationships’ between the peoples and governments of Ireland and the UK, including its devolved administrations and Crown Dependencies. According to the text of the 1998 Agreement this ‘east-west’ dimension was to have two elements with corresponding institutions: an intergovernmental one reflected in the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIC) and an interjurisdictional one reflected in the British-Irish Council (BIC). These Strand Three institutions were designed to provide fora for, respectively, intergovernmental cooperation on ‘non-devolved Northern Ireland matters’ in the case of the BIIC and information exchange and cooperation ‘on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the relevant Administrations’ in the case of the BIC. Nowhere in the 1998 Agreement text is the concept of ‘east-west’ used to refer to relations between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Yet, in the wake of Brexit, and in the midst of controversy over the implications of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland, relations between Great Britain and Northern Ireland (GB–NI) have been newly framed as ‘east-west’. The creation of this new discursive face of ‘east-west’ relations marks an important, but little discussed, impact of Brexit on the political and constitutional landscape of the UK and Ireland. Against this backdrop, this article considers the impacts of Brexit, and the Protocol, on three faces of ‘east-west’ relations—the BIIC, the BIC and, newly, GB–NI—and discusses their implications for the future of Strand 3 institutions and the ‘totality of relationships’ they represent.

The implementation of a whole school approach to mental health and well-being promotion in the Irish primary school context

Background: Schools are well recognised as critical contexts for the promotion of mental health and well-being and offer the potential to reach a large number of children at an early age, at a time when they are developing important attitudes and behaviours that may influence their future health. Ensuing from a number of large-scale epidemiological studies which have found that young Irish people are significantly struggling with their mental health and well-being, the Government of Ireland has committed to prioritising mental health promotion in schools through a multicomponent, preventive, whole school approach. Objectives: To obtain a detailed and integrated account of the implementation of a whole school approach to mental health and well-being promotion in the Irish primary school context. Method: A qualitative case study approach was undertaken employing in depth semi-structured interviews, document analysis and field notes. Thematic analysis was applied to all interview data and emerging themes were mapped on to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) domains. Setting: Three Irish primary schools. Results: Facilitators and barriers that emerged from the data related primarily to the schools’ economic and political context, organisational context, and internal and external partnerships and relationships. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the implementation process in ‘real-world’ practice settings, such as schools, is dynamic, complex and exists within a multi-level system and requires careful consideration of the numerous ecological factors that can influence implementation.

The Competing EU and UK Influence on Corporate Governance in Ireland Following Brexit

Company law and corporate governance in the Republic of Ireland have long been heavily influenced by developments in the UK. However, the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union raises the question whether this will continue to be the case. This article examines the historical development as well as the way forward for corporate governance and the position of shareholders in Ireland following Brexit. It is argued that the influence from global trends, such as climate change mitigation, will have a significant impact on corporate governance in both the EU and the UK. However, any changes in corporate governance may occur at a different pace in the UK and EU, where Ireland would be more under the sphere of influence of the EU. As these trends generally set out to decrease any emphasis on short-term shareholder value creation, it is likely to impact the position of shareholders in Ireland as well. corporate governance, comparative law, shareholder primacy

Doing politics differently: the establishment of cross-party caucuses by women councillors in Irish local government

ABSTRACT This article examines the development of caucuses by women councillors in Irish local government in the wake of the 2017 launch of a caucus for women members of the Oireachtas. The multi-method research offers a rich, gendered assessment of the factors which enable and constrain the establishment and operations of caucuses for women councillors and it places a particular focus on the first local caucuses established in the country (Limerick City and County [2019] and Dublin City [2020]). Local government in Ireland provides a unique opportunity to support such an investigation as partisanship is less significant there than it is at the national level. The research illuminates the circumstances under which we can expect locally elected women of different parties and ideologies to come together in order to cooperate. Enabling circumstances include a high level of interest and gender consciousness among women councillors – with new women identified as key players – and the presence of a caucus entrepreneur and a dedicated secretariat. Importantly, the study demonstrates how geographical differences in women’s representation impact on caucuses and posits that caucus structures are not necessarily feminist or intersectional spaces. The article makes an important contribution to global research in this area which tends to focus on caucuses in national parliaments.

Outcomes from a digital cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation programme delivered in Ireland during COVID 19

Funding AcknowledgementsType of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Government of Ireland's Sláintecare Integration Fund Health Research Board, IrelandBackground & AimCOVID 19 has accelerated the uptake and acceptance of digital health tools for the prevention and management of Cardiovascular Disease. With health systems being urged to learn from the pandemic and to reassess how they will deliver services in future, robust audit and evaluation of digital interventions are required to inform best practice.This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of a digital CVD prevention and rehabilitation programme which was established during COVID 19 to provide cardiac patients with efficient and timely access to a home-based, structured, comprehensive programme of care.MethodsDeveloped and delivered by an interdisciplinary team (Nurse Prescriber, Physiotherapist, Dietitian, Cardiologist), the core components of this 12 week programme included, behavioural change support, lifestyle modification, medical risk factor management and electronic prescribing of cardio-protective medication. To support self-management, patients were provided with a Fitbit, blood pressure monitor and a workbook to support goal setting and overall tracking of progress. Patients were given access to a bespoke web-based platform and invited to attend weekly (2hr) group-based sessions, which included an exercise component and an interactive educational workshop.ResultsOver a 4 month period, 105 patients were referred with an uptake rate of 73% (n=77). Of these, 97% (n=75) enrolled in the programme, with an 85% (n=64) completion rate. Significant improvements in CVD risk factors were observed between initial and end of programme assessment. The proportion of patients meeting guideline-recommended physical activity targets increased from 14 to 82% (p<0.001), mean BMI (kg/m2) reduced from 28.7 to 27.7 (p<0.001), mean Mediterranean diet score improved from 5.2 to 7.3 (p<0.001), and anxiety and depression levels ≥8 (Hospital Anxiety and Depression score) both reduced by more than 50% (p<0.001). The proportions achieving the recommended blood pressure (<130/80 mmHg) and LDL cholesterol targets (<1.4 mmol/L) increased from 24 to 68% (p<0.001) and 14 to 41% (p<0.001), respectively.ConclusionOutcomes from this programme demonstrate that digital CVD prevention and rehabilitation programmes can achieve the recommended lifestyle, medical and therapeutic targets associated with reduced CVD events and improved health outcomes. This programme represents a scalable, accessible and effective option to deliver vital CVD preventive care in the patient’s home.

Business Creation and Political Turmoil: Ireland versus Scotland before 1900

What effect does political instability in the form of a potential secession from a political union have on business formation? Using newly collected data on business creation, we show that entrepreneurial activity in Ireland in the late nineteenth century was much lower than Scotland, and this divergence fluctuated over time. Several factors may have contributed to this, but we argue that political uncertainty about the prospect of a devolved government in Ireland played a role. The effects were most acute in the North of Ireland, the region that was most concerned by potential changes.