Irish Government Research Articles

Analysis of the influence of climate change on monthly energy consumption in Ireland

Abstract. This article focuses on the influence of climate change on energy consumption in Ireland. The purpose is to conclude this influence and give the Irish energy companies a better understanding of energy production. All the data sources were collected from the official websites of the Irish government. The article chose several climate factors such as wind speed and temperature etc. This paper especially concentrates on electronic power consumption. All these data were transformed into a monthly form. The author used linear regression models to analyse the relationships between climate factors and Energy consumption. The R studio is one of the most important tools for this research. The author creates many kinds of linear models to fit the data accurately. The main discovery of the research is that temperature has the most significant influence on energy consumption. They have a strong linear relationship. The Irish government might need to manage electricity production based on the temperature change to fit the citizens' needs and avoid risks of severe climate conditions in the future.

The corporate political activity of the food industry in Ireland: an analysis and proposed solutions

Abstract Background The study consisted of mapping the corporate political activity (CPA) of the food industry in Ireland. Following that study, we plan to benchmark the efforts made by the Irish government to address any undue corporate influence on public health policy. Methods We followed the INFORMAS methods for studying the food industry’s CPA (document analysis) and analysed the key commercial actors in Ireland and their activities over a 24-month period. We also conducted nine semi-structured interviews with key informants. Results We found a total of 147 CPA occurrences during the period of analysis. That data was triangulated and completed with information shared by our participants. We found examples of the food industry lobbying the government, shaping scientific evidence, and framing the problems and solutions on diet in ways that would not harm the industry. IBEC, a trade association, and the dairy sector were particularly active in trying to influence public health in Ireland. Conclusions Our study shows that the food industry uses its CPA to influence public policy, research, and practice in Ireland. The next step for our project will be to benchmark the Irish government against international standards for its efforts to limit the negative effects of the CPA on public health policy. Key messages • In Ireland, as in other countries, the food industry uses its CPA to interfere with public health policy, research and practice. • There is a need to address that influence, and we will benchmark the efforts of the Irish government in trying to limit the CPA, against international standards.

1.X.1. Achieving universal health coverage: international lessons from Irish policy implementation

Abstract Health systems all over the world are struggling to meet population health needs and provide timely access to universal healthcare in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 occurred in Ireland in the early years of implementation of a national plan for universal healthcare, called Sláintecare. While many health systems are experiencing a retrenchment on universalism in the context of COVID-19, in Ireland despite tediously slow Sláintecare implementation, the pandemic provided a boost to reform implementation and universalism. The reason for this workshop is to draw on a publicly funded Health Research Board Applied Partnership Award, entitled ‘Foundations’, harnessing lessons from the Irish COVID-19 health system response to inform Sláintecare’s implementation https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/3-70/v1 The objectives of the workshop are to 1) provide academic research evidence from the Irish experience of universal health system reform during and since COVID-19; 2) to give participants space to reflect on the implications of the Irish universal health system reform on international health systems and policy; 3) to actively involve workshop participants in an engaged discussion on implementing universal health coverage in the context of COVID-19. The added value of the workshop is to share learnings from an academic research programme, which is coproducing evidence in partnership with the Irish health system, in a worldwide context, providing relevant and thought-provoking discussion and analysis for an international audience. Four separate inter-related presentations will draw on aspects of the Foundations’ research project. Presentation 1, Prof Sara Burke will outline recent academic literature on universalism and the politics of reform implementation in the context of COVID-19 and present a timeline of universal healthcare reform implementation since 2018 when Sláintecare was adopted by the Irish government (14 mins). Presentation 2, Dr Sarah Parker will detail a specific study which set out to advance understanding of how and to what extent COVID-19 has highlighted opportunities for change that enabled better access to universal, integrated care in Ireland, with a view to informing universal health system reform and implementation (10 mins). Presentation 3, Dr Katharine Schulmann and Carlos Bruen will present findings on the governance of reform implementation and implications for all health systems (10 mins). Presentation 4, Dr Philip Crowley, Health Service Executive (HSE) National Director of Strategy and Research and Chair of the Foundations’ research steering group will reflect how research findings can inform implementing reform and their implications for all health systems (6 mins). There will be four presentations totalling 40 mins, followed by questions and discussion chaired by an international expert/academic on universal health systems. Key messages • COVID-10 has highlighted how universal health coverage is more important than ever, however the pandemic has resulted in some retrenchment on universalism. • While data and research drove health system decision making during the pandemic, embedding research evidence into health system and policy reform remains challenging and can be politically opposed.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity among primary school children in Ireland

Abstract Background The containment measures implemented during COVID-19 to curb the virus’s spread disrupted family life globally and profoundly impacted children’s daily behaviours. A decrease in children’s physical activity during COVID-19 is one such health behaviour change that was observed in many European countries. This study aimed to understand the pandemic’s impact on primary school children’s physical activity in Ireland which is important given the epidemic of childhood obesity and chronic diseases in the long term. Methods All Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) participating countries (n = 45) could voluntarily implement the COVID study as part of their COSI Round 6 (R6) data collection or separately. The parents of First and Second-class primary school children (n = 2,784) who consented to participate in COSI-Ireland R6 were invited to complete the family survey which included the standardised COVID study. The COVID module assessed children’s lifestyles and health behaviours before and during the pandemic through 12 questions. Consenting parents supplied their email or postal address and completed the survey in hardcopy or electronically using LimeSurvey. Descriptive statistics were then calculated on the cleaned pseudonymised dataset (n = 1,060) using IBM SPSS Statistics 27. Results The time spent playing actively outside school hours remained the same for some children on both weekdays and weekends (24.2% and 37.1%, respectively). An increase rather than a decrease in the time spent in active play was also observed among almost twice as many children across Ireland on both weekdays (47.3% and 24.2% respectively), and weekends (40.10% and 21.80% respectively). Conclusions The positive findings show that the public health messaging from the Irish Government which emphasized the importance of staying active during COVID-19 may have been effective. Further research to assess children’s physical activity during COVID-19 is warranted to inform future pandemics. Key messages • In Ireland, unlike in many European countries, a substantial number of primary school children increased their time spent playing actively during the COVID-19 pandemic. • A unique trend in Irish children’s physical activity levels compared to their European counterparts.

Analysis of contemporary climate adaptation policies in Ireland and their application to the coastal zone

Global climate change presents a range of impacts on Ireland's economy and society with particular challenges facing coastal areas. The need to adapt to these risks is considered both urgent and essential and the policy framework has evolved to meet these challenges with the adoption of climate action legislation and a National Adaptation Framework (NAF) to facilitate the transition to a climate-resilient economy and society by 2050. This paper briefly reviews the European and Irish government policy context for sectoral climate adaptation before reviewing and classifying the sectoral policy measures introduced to reduce vulnerabilities to climate change impacts. While the analysis reveals that progress has been made by adopting climate action legislation and by developing a suite of climate action focussed plans, it also demonstrates that the policy measures included in the Sectoral Adaptation Plans to reduce climate change vulnerabilities are limited in number and lacking in effectiveness. Furthermore, their application to cross-cutting themes, exemplified by the coast, is inadequate to deal with the practical climate change issues. These findings indicate that Ireland is at a preliminary stage when assessed according to the EU adaptation preparedness scorecard.

Sea-Level Rise and Human Mobility: The Legal Implications for Ireland’s Foreign and Domestic Policies

In October 2023, the Irish government’s Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy concluded it was inevitable that, as a result of rising sea levels, a managed retreat may in time be required along some parts of the Irish coastline. This stark warning highlights Ireland’s vulnerability as an island nation to global climate change and sea-level rise. While adaptive measures can be made to protect coastal communities, there is a need to undertake comprehensive planning to prepare for the foreseeable impacts of climate change. Ireland is not alone in facing such risks—over a third of states in the world are directly affected by sea-level rise. Such scenarios raise complicated legal questions, which prompted the UN International Law Commission (ILC) to commence analysis in 2018 of the legal implications of sea-level rise. This article starts by examining recent developments concerning the legal implications of climate change in general, before specifically analysing the ongoing work of the ILC on sea-level rise and human mobility. Drawing on international legal and policy frameworks, the article then considers Ireland’s obligations arising from sea-level rise and population displacement. In particular, it addresses a) Ireland’s foreign policy, including international development assistance and legal migration routes for persons fleeing the impacts of sea-level rise; and b) domestic policies relating to climate change adaptation and planning for internal climate displacement.

‘Of no interest to this country’: the Treaty of Lausanne and its consequences for the Foreign Policy of the Irish Free State, 1923 to 1924

Following its creation, the Irish Free State took steps to assert itself from the United Kingdom in the area of foreign policy. While a notable success was joining the League of Nations, another key moment presented itself in the form of the Treaty of Lausanne and discussions regarding its ratification by the Irish government. While this accord concerned the Allied Powers of World War One and the entity we now know as Turkey, talks regarding its approval by Dublin had far-reaching consequences, on the right of dominions to refuse calls to arms from London and touched upon the issuing of Irish passports, which distinguished between British subjects and Irish citizens. Indeed, discussions in the Dáil and Seanad to approve this treaty would also play a role in British approval for the appointment of an Irish Plenipotentiary in Washington DC, the first British Dominion to do so.

Advancing Loneliness as a National Health Priority: Results of a Multisectoral Roundtable

Abstract Background Ireland has the highest rates of loneliness of all EU countries. Those in the older old category (aged 80+) are at increased risk of developing loneliness, which is in turn a risk factor for many adverse health outcomes. Ireland has a strong tradition of Irish gerontological loneliness research, and it is critical to now know how best to focus research efforts to mitigate the impact of loneliness on older adults. Methods We held a roundtable discussion on priorities in Irish loneliness research at the Loneliness Taskforce Research Network inaugural event on 16th April 2024. 75 attendees were present, including those from non-governmental organisations, health and social care professionals, experts by lived experience, academic experts, researchers, and representatives from the private sector and governmental agencies. Of seven tables discussing loneliness research priorities, two tables were devoted to the discussion of priorities in research on loneliness in older people (with 18 participants in total). The priorities were noted, then amalgamated and organised. Results There was considerable heterogeneity in priorities raised, with little overlap across the two roundtable outputs. Of particular note was the need to evaluate the many services being delivered across Ireland to reduce loneliness, which operate without an evidence base. Other priorities included: Conclusion Results are informative for those planning future research on loneliness among older adults in Ireland and will form the basis for a report from the Loneliness Taskforce to the Irish Government, who have pledged funding for alleviation of loneliness.

Policy and politics: How specialist farming media frame climate action

The agriculture sector in Ireland is a leading contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, and faces challenges in meeting reduction targets. The communication of climate-related information to farmers will be important in encouraging the farming community to adopt more sustainable farming practices. This study examines how a key information source - the specialist farming media in Ireland - frames the issue of climate change. It does so by analysing coverage of the release of the Irish government's 2021 Climate Action Plan, across a six-week period in three publications: the Irish Farmers Journal, the Farming Independent, and Agriland. It investigates media framings, the use of sources, and the influence of a powerful lobbying organisation, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA). We find that, when it comes to climate action measures targeted at agriculture, the Irish farming media favour policy and political frames, and largely focus on narrow policy impacts, often omitting the context and rationale for policy interventions. Broader issues concerning climate justice and political economy are also neglected. Farming coverage by the country's most popular print title adopted a more combative approach, and deployed a conflict frame with greater frequency than the other publications. Government politicians and farming organisations are the most frequently quoted sources, giving these groups the most opportunity to shape the debate. This study adds to the limited research focused on climate change coverage in specialist farming publications.

The British and Irish Governments’ Role in Restoring the Assembly in Northern Ireland: October 2002 to May 2007 and January 2017 to January 2020

In 1998 the Good Friday Agreement (GFA), aimed at resolving the conflict in Northern Ireland, was met with celebrations. However, there were initial delays in establishing the institutions provided for by the GFA and they have subsequently been suspended on seven occasions. As kin-states, the role of the British and Irish governments in facilitating continued negotiations between the local parties has been central to overcoming these difficulties. This article focuses on the role that the British and Irish governments played during efforts to restore the Stormont Assembly during two prolonged periods of suspension. In order to do so it draws on the theory of external ethnonational guarantors (EEGs) and examines whether the British and Irish governments’ actions were in line with identified best practices: (1) EEGs must cooperate to ameliorate the conflict; (2) EEGs must not intervene on behalf of their co-nationals; (3) EEGs must pay careful attention to the internal dynamics of the conflict, including the dynamics within their co-national community.

Discussion on the Impact of COVID-19 on Irelands Macroeconomic Development

This paper aims to discover how COVID-19 influences the development of the macroeconomy in Ireland, and help readers understand how Ireland, or even other countries or regions, should respond to a crisis such as COVID-19 to keep their business running effectively. Through the research, the relevant data of Ireland from 2019 to 2022 are quantitatively analyzed, including Gross Domestic Product (GDP), national income, people's employment and unemployment, the number of enterprises registered, Ireland's traffic conditions such as the number of passengers, the number of hotel stays and other data, the number of airline routes, hospital expenses and medical subsidies and the number of hospital inpatients. The Irish government's policies to control the spread of the epidemic will also be discussed. After analysis, COVID-19 can negatively affect employment, transportation, tourism, and the number of enterprises. However, it can raise the capital of the hospital. Therefore, Ireland and other countries and regions need to be aware of the impact of COVID-19 on economic development. This article can show the impact of COVID-19 on the macro-economy in what aspects, and reduce the impact of disasters through appropriate fiscal policies, adequate fund preparation, and subsidies for those who lose their jobs due to disasters.

THE PROSPECTS OF NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICAL STABILISATION

The article deals with the reasons of two years political crisis in Northern Ireland. According to the author, it became possible due to Belfast Agreement power-sharing system which means joint government on a cross-community basis between representatives of protestant and catholic traditions. If one of the side ceased to hold office by any reason, the other shall cease to function immediately. The main reason for political crises in February 2022 was the demand of the Democratic unionist party to reconsider the Northern Ireland protocol – part of the Brexit Agreement, and their refusal to hold office. The absence of the Executive led to economic destabilisation, have a negative impact on social situation. Lengthy negotiations between DUP, British, Irish governments and EU resulted in step-by-step changes in protocol and resumption of work in Stormont in February 2024. To avoid further crises it’s required to reform the political institutions.

Development of a Health Impact Assessment Implementation Model: Enhancing Intersectoral Approaches in Tackling Health Inequalities- A Mixed Methods Study Protocol

Public health research presents compelling evidence that health is socially determined. To address structural inequalities and inequities in health, public policies require intersectoral development and implementation. Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is an established approach for analysing potentially detrimental health impacts of policies, programmes, and projects, as well as potentially positive impacts and opportunities. National public health policy, Healthy Ireland (2013–2025), endorses an intersectoral whole-of-system approach to ensure that health is a central part of all relevant policy areas. HIA is endorsed in this policy as one way to drive this agenda. Synergising with this policy commitment for HIA, the all-island Institute of Public Health Ireland produced revised HIA guidance in 2021. Two HIAs will be carried out as part of this project, including one at a local policy level, addressing the Cork City Development Plan (2022–2028), and the second HIA at a national policy level, addressing the Irish Government’s Climate Action Plan (2024). The updated HIA guidance will be used in the conduct of these HIAs. This research project involves a co-creation of a Health Impact Assessment Implementation Model by employing an action research approach with implementation science frameworks to the conduct of the two HIAs. Therefore, the process of doing the HIAs will form the basis for the research study. In order to enhance meaningful community involvement in HIA in Ireland, the project will co-create a Community Engagement Toolkit for HIA. This Model will strengthen researcher, policy actor, practitioner, community, and voluntary sector capacity to collaboratively develop and implement intersectoral and equitable policy responses to major population health issues.

Reading Irish Solidarity with Palestine through Ireland’s “Unfinished Revolution”

Irish solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation is well documented. The shared experience of resisting state-sponsored colonial violence has helped to embed this transnational solidarity, especially among grassroots activists. Yet despite these similarities, there are critical differences between the two struggles that require careful consideration. In this essay, the author foregrounds the bonds of connection between Ireland and Palestine while arguing for the need to avoid platforming unnuanced, romantic, and mystical sentiments in light of Ireland’s “unfinished revolution” and the Irish government’s largely conservative approach to Palestinian liberation. He concludes that Ireland is far from an exemplar of postcoloniality and stresses that it is the activist community in Ireland that has been leading the call for full Palestinian liberation.

Covid-19 & Domestic Abuse: Similarities between Government Policies & Actions during the Covid-19 Pandemic and Domestic Violence/Coercive Control

This paper will outline a model of domestic violence (DV)/coercive control (CC) which is then used to help us to understand better how the Irish government, along with most Governments in the Anglospheere, was so successful in gaining population compliance with draconian measures used in the Covid 19 pandemic.

Identifying the Social, Urban, and Environmental Co-Benefits of Coworking Spaces in Irish Towns

Coworking spaces are shared workplaces in which desk space is available to remote workers, freelancers, and small enterprises. They offer the social, technological, and networking advantages of an office while allowing workers the freedom to reside in a location of their choice. Remote working has become a common work practice in recent years, accelerated by restrictions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Irish Government policy strongly supports coworking spaces across the island to support employment diversity and retain populations in towns and villages. Along with the provision of viable workplaces, coworking spaces can provide a range of co-benefits to their localities, such as stimulating local economies and reducing commuting-related emissions. This paper describes a mixed-method study seeking to identify this range of co-benefits through a survey of coworking space users and semi-structured interviews with coworking space founders, managers, and coordinators. The study uses an integrative process to categorise the findings into social, urban, and environmental co-benefits. The research finds that locating a coworking space in a central rather than peripheral urban area can support and optimise many of these co-benefits.

'A Third Country': Irish Border Communities

Inserting a border where one did not previously exist transforms the mental and physical map of individuals and communities. Those who live along the Irish Border regard themselves as distinct from the rest of Northern Ireland or Ireland – ‘a third country’, that is neglected, and distinct from both Belfast and Dublin. This paper explores the neglect and belated ‘discovery’ of the problems facing border areas: the local impact of partition on population and the economy, the image of the border as a zone of violence and lawlessness, and the importance of the parish and community identities, together with the question of sectarianism. Official interest in the border (apart from security matters), only emerged in 1983 when the Economic and Social Committee of the EEC issued a report on Irish Border Areas highlighting the serious socio-economic problems. Since the 1990s border communities, both north and south, have benefited significantly from an array of programmes funded by the EU, the British and Irish governments and international donors. Most of the practical difficulties of life along the border, such as customs and security posts, were removed during the 1990s, with the introduction of the EU Single Market and the end of paramilitary violence. This has enabled some restoration of traditional cross-border networks. Britain’s decision to leave the EU threatened to restore these administrative barriers, but concerted efforts by the Irish government and the strong support from the EU ensured that this was avoided. Although the Irish border has practically disappeared on the ground, legacies remain. Over the past century it has reconfigured community and personal identities, and it remains a potent political symbol for both nationalists and unionists.

The Wind That Shakes the Turbines: Analysis of Irish Energy Production and Sovereignty

Ireland’s answer to transitioning, greening and securing energy production is essentially to develop offshore wind, thereby leveraging its large maritime territory. Ireland supplies and runs an all-island grid, and has export potential to other EU countries by means of interconnectors. This article argues that energy transition is an opportunity for Ireland to rank as a key energy supplier and technological leader for offshore wind. Reaching these positions requires a range of political and industrial measures to achieve strategic management of Irish waters. The Irish government, together with the national electricity company, the Electricity Supply Board, is now rolling out a roadmap of programmes and investments to dramatically increase offshore wind share in the national energy mix by 2030. A very clear governmental transition strategy, the recent launch of several infrastructure construction works and significant financial firepower, combined with strong EU support, give confidence that Ireland can deliver on its objectives.

Faraway Hills May Not Be Greener; Can Ireland Maintain Its Competitive Advantage With a 15% Minimum Tax?

With its attractive 12.5% corporate tax rate, Ireland would seem to be most heavily impacted by the European Union’s decision to adopt the Pillar Two 15% global minimum tax. With implementation looming in 2024, questions have arisen about whether Ireland will be able to maintain its competitive advantage, even with the higher tax rate. In this Talking Points, Anna Crowley examines the steps the Irish government has taken to ward off any ill effects of the rate hike, as it seeks to maintain its position as an attractive location for foreign direct investment.

A theoretical framework for developing a health impact assessment implementation model in Ireland

Abstract Background A Health Research Board (HRB) four-year research study, which commenced in January 2023, seeks to explore the process of carrying out Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) with a view embedding the approach as normal practice in local and national policy development in Ireland. Methods A theoretical framework has been constructed to develop an HIA implementation model. The framework is based on the all-island Institute of Public Health Ireland's HIA guidance. The theoretical framework will examine factors affecting HIA implementation, using both the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Normalisation Process Theory (NPT). An action research methodological approach will be used to gather data on the experiences that participants will reflect on while doing the HIA. Participants included in the study will be the members of the two HIA Steering Groups created for each HIA (12 participants in each HIA) and policy end-users of the HIA evidence from the city council and government ministries (20 participants for each HIA). Results The theoretical framework will be applied to two HIAs, in order to generate data in creating the HIA implementation model. HIA 1, commencing October 2023, will be conducted on the local government Cork City Development Plan. HIA 2, commencing January 2025, will be carried out on the Irish Government's Climate Action Plan. Preliminary results on the application of the theoretical framework to HIA 1 will be presented, as well as reflections for the planned HIA 2. Conclusions For the first time in Ireland and beyond, a theoretical framework has been developed employing innovative methodological approaches to building a contextualised HIA implementation model. Using action research in assessing the implementation of HIA, with a view to analysing the lived experience of Steering Group members as they conduct the HIAs, and policy end-users, will ensure an enhanced HIA implementation model. Key messages • The development of an innovative theoretical framework for the study of HIA. • The building of HIA capacity in Ireland using the newly revised Institute of Public Health guidance.