2. Ireland’s policy vision and framework

Abstract

This chapter assesses the extent to which clear political directives, policies and strategies shape Ireland’s development co-operation and reflect its international commitments, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The chapter begins with a look at the policy framework guiding development co-operation, assessing whether Ireland has a clear policy vision that aligns with the 2030 Agenda and reflects its own strengths. It then examines whether Ireland’s policy guidance sets out a clear and comprehensive approach, including to poverty. The final section focuses on the decision-making basis, i.e. whether Ireland’s policy provides sufficient guidance for decisions about where and how to allocate its official development assistance.

    

In brief

The 2019 policy for international development, A Better World, builds on strong consensus across Irish society and the government. It provides a clear vision for Ireland’s development co-operation as a programme that promotes both values and self-interest, aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, and is rooted in Ireland’s foreign policy. Policy priorities are clear and reflect actual strengths, allowing Ireland to add value. A Better World puts greater emphasis on cross-cutting issues and on leveraging interlinkages across sectorial interventions. It provides for expanding Ireland’s geographical focus, which may create a risk that development programmes may be spread too thin. The policy also includes a commitment to improve the way of working in order for Ireland to become a more dynamic, responsive and effective learning actor.

Reaching the furthest behind first is at the core of A Better World, and Ireland is developing a clear and accessible guidance to this approach. Updated strategies and operational guidance on policy priorities is required to ensure that all actions contribute effectively to the achievement of A Better World. Mainstreaming of gender equality in policy and programming is advancing. Ireland mainstreams climate adaptation more than the DAC member average in its priority sectors. Nevertheless, new operational guidance and staff capacity-building could help Ireland to further embed a strategic approach to mainstreaming across the board.

Spending targets provide a basis for high-level decision making and a forthcoming Accountability Framework will ensure focus on a manageable number of commitments. At country level, the preparation of mission strategies enables Ireland to make informed choices about its allocations in partner countries. However, further detailing the rationale for partner identification would help staff to guide the choice between possible channels.

Partnerships with civil society are a hallmark of Ireland’s development co-operation, exemplifying its global leadership in promoting civic space. At country level, Ireland is a reliable partner to civil society organisations and a recognised lead advocate for civic space. Despite some progress on private sector engagement, Ireland still suffers from the lack of a strategic approach. Its ambition to expand private sector partnerships will benefit from a clearer articulation of scope and risk appetite as part of the new private sector strategy. It will build on its niche in the agri-food sector and show how to deliver across a number of thematic areas. Ireland is a staunch supporter of the multilateral system and considers its membership of the European Union essential to its relations with the rest of the world. Ireland selects and maintains partnerships with multilaterals based on specific criteria and regular reviews, and is developing a Framework for Multilateral Engagement.

Framework

A Better World defines a clear policy vision and is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy

The 2019 policy for international development, A Better World, provides a clear vision for Ireland’s development co-operation and humanitarian assistance (Government of Ireland, 2019[1]). The new policy marks a noticeable shift in the narrative of Irish official development assistance (ODA), framing it as shared prosperity and self-interest (Box 2.1). The policy envisages development co-operation as “an investment in a better and safer world, in developing new markets, in influence, and in friendships”.1 A Better World provides the framework to guide Ireland towards scaling up its international development engagement.

The policy builds on strong consensus and outlines a whole-of-government effort for development co-operation. An extensive consultation with stakeholders that involved citizens, civil society organisations, all government departments and other public bodies contributed to shaping A Better World (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2019[2]). This ensured strong buy-in from Irish society as well as government departments beyond the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Reflecting the plan to work as a whole of government effort, A Better World sets out specific commitments to strengthen co-ordination among different departments on each policy priority (Chapter 4).

A Better World places the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and responding to the rallying call to reach the furthest behind first at the heart of the Irish approach. Besides stating resolute support for the SDGs, A Better World links each key area of intervention with specific SDGs, showing a clear alignment at goal level with the 2030 Agenda.

A Better World is solidly rooted in Ireland’s foreign policy. The 2015 foreign policy statement, The Global Island, highlights the relevance of development co-operation to Ireland’s foreign policy (Government of Ireland, 2015[3]). The 2018 strategy, Global Ireland, sets out the ambition to double the country’s global footprint by 2025, recognises how development co-operation amplifies and sustains Ireland’s place in an interconnected world, and reaffirms the commitment to provide 0.7% of gross national income as ODA by 2030 (Government of Ireland, 2018[4]). Strong support to international rules-based systems and multilateralism is also a pillar of Ireland’s foreign policy and thus another key tenet of A Better World.

Policy priorities in line with its strengths allow Ireland to add value, but expanded geographical focus risks diluting the effectiveness of Ireland’s development co-operation

A Better World sets a few clear priorities in line with Ireland’s strengths that allow it to potentially make a difference in partner countries and at the global level. The new policy framework puts strong emphasis on four top priorities (gender equality, reducing humanitarian need, climate action and strengthening governance) that cut across Irish development co-operation. It also sets out Ireland’s intention to deliver by focusing its action on three clusters of intervention: protection, food and people.2 As these clusters are in line with previous priority areas, Ireland can build on its experience and on what it is good at and pursue its aim to gain a leadership role in specific policy areas. A Better World includes a further commitment to improve the way of doing things to make Ireland a more dynamic, responsive, engaging and effective learning actor (Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1. Ireland’s policy framework for international development in A Better World

A Better World continues Ireland’s focus on Africa and fragile countries and contexts but expands its geographic reach, creating risks for the effectiveness of Ireland’s development co-operation. The new policy commits Ireland to consolidate its presence in East and Southern Africa, increase its engagement in West Africa, and expand the support for small island developing states (SIDS).3 However, it does not provide a clear list of partner countries, as did the previous development policy (Government of Ireland, 2013[5]).4 Another change is the establishment of new embassies in Jordan and Colombia, the latter as part of Ireland’s plans to increase its engagement in South America (Government of Ireland, 2019[6]). This expansion of geographic focus risks diluting Ireland’s efforts. It is important that Ireland continues to articulate explicitly how its engagement in new partner countries will add value, especially in places where there is already a large donor presence and Ireland’s footprint could be limited. Ireland could draw lessons from its own past experiences, such as when it entered the crowded space in Viet Nam in 2005.5

Ireland intends to strengthen its regional approach as a way to increase its footprint and tackle complex issues. It has started to co-operate more with regional institutions and engage in countries of secondary accreditation, including through the Africa Strategy and Innovation Fund (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2018[7]).6 Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for Africa to 2025 (Government of Ireland, 2019[8]) identifies additional regional institutions on the African continent with which Ireland wants to engage. Regional engagement can be a strong complement to bilateral action and help to address challenges that require cross-border co-operation.7 However, at present, Ireland’s regional engagement is still being developed. While it already benefits from enhanced access and a larger footprint, its added value is not yet clear, particularly in terms of Ireland’s regional development objectives and links to its country programmes (Annex C).

Box 2.1. An authentic and innovative narrative for development co-operation

A Better World marks a positive shift in Ireland’s development co-operation narrative. It successfully combines Ireland’s interests and values, telling a convincing story that speaks to the public, civil society and policy makers.

The policy grounds development co-operation both in the traditional solidarity of Irish people and in Ireland’s national interest. Although today Ireland is a vibrant economy, the memory of a not-too-distant past marked by poverty and hunger remains vivid. This memory inspires many Irish women and men to dedicate their lives – as missionaries, volunteers and international development workers – to helping some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. The new policy builds on this legacy and frames citizens’ support to international co-operation as a projection of Irish values abroad (Chapter 1).

A Better World also recognises that “expanding our overseas development assistance is in Ireland’s strategic self-interest”.8 As a small island country with an open economy in an ever more interconnected and uncertain world, Ireland looks at international development co-operation as an essential foreign policy tool to shape and protect its stability and prosperity. In this perspective, supporting internationalism, multilateralism and a rules-based global system is crucial.

Principles and guidance

Reaching the furthest behind first is at the core of A Better World, but Ireland’s approach is yet to be spelled out

Ireland is strongly committed to reaching the furthest behind first, the overarching goal elaborated in A Better World. This pledge to focus development assistance on the poorest and most vulnerable builds on Ireland’s traditionally strong focus and commitments that it made in previous development policies.9

Ireland is developing a specific approach to reach the furthest behind first. It plans to produce clear and accessible guidance on reaching the furthest behind first by quarter one of 2020. The guidance will contain definitions and strategies for action as well as practical approaches to doing things differently in policy influencing and programming. These will be necessary to support and complement analyses of the local drivers of poverty, inequality and vulnerability that already inform the preparation of new mission strategies (Annex C). It will be essential to invest in new skills and expertise in order to re-orient and strengthen capacities to reach the furthest behind first, as recognised in A Better World, and to articulate Ireland’s risk appetite to operate in complex contexts (Chapter 4).

Further strategic and operational guidance is needed to translate A Better World’s vision into action

Ireland’s approach to development co-operation is comprehensive, but further work is needed to update strategic and operational guidance on its policy priorities. Many of the strategies in place date back to the 2000s and need to be updated to reflect the new Irish policy framework and the changed global context. Among the strategies to be refreshed are the policies on gender equality (2004), governance (2008), environment (2008) and civil society (2008). The strategy for partnership with Africa (2019), the strategy for engagement with SIDS (2019) and the social protection strategy (2017) were completed more recently.

Operationalising the policy requires guidance to clarify for partners and staff how the priorities and intervention clusters of A Better World interrelate. Ireland plans to complete clear strategies and operational guidance on the four top priorities by the end of 2020. Appropriate sequencing and a roll-out plan for the strategies (with adequate training, support and incentives for staff) will be essential. As observed in Ethiopia, guidance is particularly important during the preparation of new mission strategies to ensure that they substantively align with A Better World and contribute to delivering on its vision (Annex C).

Ireland is advancing gender equality, while climate change remains a work in progress

Ireland champions gender equality in policy and programming and wants to build on its progress. Ireland successfully advocates for gender equality and against gender-based violence at global level (Chapter 1) and at country level, as seen in Ethiopia (Annex C). Ireland’s efforts to increase investments in gender mainstreaming have been successful. The share of programmes that integrate gender equality (Chapter 3) across its entire portfolio is one of the highest among DAC donors, covering health, education, agriculture and gender-related statistics. Nevertheless, Ireland can still do better. As noted in the Rapid Overview of One World, One Future (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2018[9]), Ireland has not been able to fully seize all opportunities due to a lack of additional, dedicated human resources. Reinforcing the DFAT gender network and building capacities on the ground could enhance context analysis and follow-up in programme implementation.10 A Better World elevates gender equality to one of Ireland’s top priorities, and Ireland accordingly intends to strengthen its focus further, as seen also in Ethiopia (Annex C).

Ireland’s commitment to climate action focuses on adaptation, in line with partner country preferences, but it needs to strengthen staff capacity. The share of ODA focusing on adaptation has steadily improved, registering values higher than the DAC average in Ireland’s priority sectors (Figure 3.5). Nevertheless, overall levels of ODA focusing on climate remain low (Chapter 3). In common with other DAC members (OECD, 2019[10]), Ireland also pays limited attention to environmental issues beyond climate change (Chapter 3) and it risks doing so more in the future, as it further concentrates on tackling climate-related issues.11 Mainstreaming climate across programmes was already a priority under the previous policy. The Rapid Overview of One World, One Future recognises that progress in this regard has been uneven – while Ireland invested in partner country capacity, staff and missions need practical support to operationalise this target (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2018[9]). Ireland is now accelerating efforts to mainstream climate action, especially at headquarters level. It created a Climate and Development Learning Platform, publishes annual Climate Action Reports for its partner countries, and provides multi-annual funding to select international climate change partners.12

Basis for decision making

Spending targets provide a basis for high-level decision making and a corporate framework will ensure focus on a manageable number of commitments

Ireland uses a number of spending targets to ensure that allocations match priorities. These targets reflect high-level political commitments made in line with top policy priorities such as on climate finance and education.13 Performance reporting also tracks where aid is spent (e.g. fragile contexts, least developed countries, forgotten crises) and how aid is spent (e.g. channelled through civil society organisations, untied, un-earmarked). In future, Ireland also plans to track spending on the four top policy priorities of A Better World. As Ireland moves towards performance budgeting, expected results could provide further evidence to inform allocation decisions.

Ireland is developing an Accountability Framework that will help to keep in focus a manageable number of commitments from A Better World. Taking into account lessons learnt from the management framework used under the previous policy, One World, One Future (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2019[11]),14 Ireland is preparing a new Accountability Framework that will focus on 20-35 high-level commitments from A Better World. Identifying lead units and/or divisions and timelines for each commitment, the Accountability Framework will help to track progress on the implementation of the new international development policy (Chapter 6).

Mission strategies help Ireland to make informed decisions

At country level, the preparation of new mission strategies enables Ireland to make informed choices about its allocations in partner countries. A Standard Approach and Process Guide sets out the steps required for the development and approval of a mission strategy (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2017[12]). As seen in Ethiopia, these include a thorough process of internal reflection, evaluation of the previous strategy and extensive consultations, as well as an external analysis of the dimensions and drivers of poverty, vulnerability and inequality (Annex C).

The preparation of mission strategies now involves the identification of a broad theory of change, within which Ireland’s added value is taken into account and a number of outcomes and associated results are identified. Sectors and programmes in which Ireland has been previously engaged play a significant role in the decision-making process, and the five-year budget plans for mission strategies reflect historic levels of allocations as well as the embassy’s absorption capacity. However, missions are now in the position to make more strategic choices around engaging in new sectors or changing the way they are engaging in current sectors. In the past, previous mission strategies were more prescriptive and could reference specific partners, limiting adaptability during the strategy period.

The rationale for selecting partners is not sufficiently detailed to guide allocations

A Better World sets out, in broad strokes, why Ireland engages with different actors. In particular, it stresses the importance of partnerships with civil society and multilaterals and the intention to expand engagement with the private sector and research institutes. However, while it plans to update its civil society policy, Ireland lacks guidance on its partnership with multilaterals and the private sector. The Research Strategy 2015-2019 is under review to inform an expanded approach to research, evidence, knowledge and learning, together with the associated operational guidance (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2015[13]).

Guidance can help Ireland to choose between possible channels and, in particular, to consider the advantages and challenges of a particular channel in a given context.15 If Irish ODA is to grow, guidance will be especially important because Ireland will need to consider the absorption capacity of specific channels and partners over time, as well as which partners are best placed to work with Ireland in new areas.

Ireland applies clear criteria when identifying partners through competitive selections, but not all partners are selected competitively. Calls for proposals and performance-based partnership arrangements such as the Civil Society Fund, the Programme Grant II and the Humanitarian Programme Plan apply clearly identified criteria, ranging from partner capacity to the quality of proposals and expected results (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2017[14]). Similarly, international funding arrangements initiated by DFAT headquarters, such as the Multi Annual Funding Framework for International Partnerships on Climate Change, apply clear criteria to promote engagement with selected partners. However, at country level, although the Standard Approach to Grant Management (SAGM) provides a set of criteria for selecting partners (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2017[15]),16 there is no requirement to document if alternative partners were considered, and if not, why not. Ireland can accept unsolicited fund requests and contract partners directly, after having assessed their capacity to deliver. Not scanning the horizon for other potential partners might have drawbacks, such as lower value for money, if partners feel that funding is likely regardless of value added or strong performance.

Partnerships with civil society are a hallmark of Ireland’s development co-operation, exemplifying its global leadership in promoting civic space

Vigorous support for Irish as well as local civil society organisations (CSOs) and civic space is a particular feature of Ireland’s development co-operation. In line with the 2030 Agenda, A Better World emphasises the protection of human rights; the role of CSOs in supporting accountable, well-functioning societies; and the importance of inclusive, participatory and representative institutions. Ireland also is a long-time champion and active defender of civic space and human rights, proactively harnessing strategic opportunities at the global policy level.17

At country level, Ireland is a reliable partner to CSOs and a recognised lead advocate for civic space, as seen in Ethiopia (Annex C). Its principled approach ensures the necessary support to CSOs that advocate for civic space, providing a lifeline at times for grassroots campaigns in contexts where civic space is under particular threat. This is especially important in contexts where progress is difficult and hard-won gains can easily be lost. Ireland is recognised for its ability to mobilise key partners around the civic space agenda through effective civil society programmes and projects, often in partnerships with like-minded donors, and through policy dialogue. Ireland is also perceived as a partner that does not shy away from addressing complex civic space issues, including at the highest political level.

Ireland’s ambition to expand private sector partnerships would benefit from a clearer articulation of scope and risk appetite

Ireland’s private sector engagement still suffers from the lack of a strategic approach that clearly articulates its niche. The 2014 peer review recommended a policy and tools be developed for effective private sector engagement (PSE). In response, Ireland undertook a strategic review that identified a series of possible priorities (Holzman, Barot and Franklin, 2019[16]) and stepped up its engagement in a range of areas (Chapter 3). The agri-food sector has been identified and utilised as a sphere for PSE as it has the potential to deliver transformative development impacts across a number of thematic areas including climate action, women’s economic empowerment, inclusive economic growth, nutrition and sustainable food systems. The new strategy for PSE and private finance, currently under development, will be an opportunity to transform what is still a nascent and ad hoc engagement into more systematic partnerships with a clear rationale (Chapter 5). For this, the PSE strategy should clarify the government’s risk appetite and help identify new opportunities for collaboration. The PSE strategy could also provide guidance on Ireland’s facilitating and matchmaking roles in partner countries, as well as on integrating PSE across different partnerships (e.g. civil society partnerships and engagement through multilaterals) and policy areas (e.g. emphasis on women’s economic empowerment and climate action). As a relative newcomer in this area, Ireland can benefit from the diverse experience of other DAC members, development banks, and platforms such as the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development or the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, as well as the Kampala Principles of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC, 2019[17]).

Ireland could add specific value by focusing on those at risk of being left behind, in line with A Better World. Ireland is well placed to deepen work with Irish and local private partners in sectors where Ireland wants to focus its engagement, notably agri-food but also other sectors where specific programmes could expand, for example in healthcare/pharmaceuticals, energy, education and fintech. The recent review of PSE modalities suggests the need to learn more about the developmental impact of mobilisation efforts, in particular with regard to reaching the most vulnerable (Holzman, Barot and Franklin, 2019[16]). Building on lessons from its programmes,18 Ireland could help to show that private sector engagement can drive change that benefits marginalised and vulnerable groups.

Ireland supports multilaterals out of strategic interest, but does not yet have a formal strategy

Ireland is a staunch supporter of the multilateral system. A Better World explains Ireland’s deep commitment to multilateralism, noting that as a small open economy, Ireland relies on a stable and rules-based global system to protect its interests. Ireland has the ambition to increase its policy influence and engages in joint efforts to increase the effectiveness of the multilateral system (Chapter 5). Multilaterals are also a means to increase Ireland’s global footprint. In this vein, Ireland is expanding partnerships with development banks, having joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in 2017 and joining the African Development Bank in 2020.19

Ireland considers its membership of the European Union (EU) essential to its relations with the rest of the world, and it intends to contribute even more actively to shaping European external engagement. Due to a foreseen substantial increase of its contribution to the EU multi-annual financial framework 2021-27, Ireland is planning to maximise its influence on the EU by building a system of management, engagement, cross-department collaboration, monitoring and evaluation (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2019[18]) to push for a greater focus on fragile contexts and the furthest behind. This will also bring new opportunities for CSOs supported by Ireland to engage more systematically in relevant dialogue structures at the EU level. Dóchas and DFAT can help in raising awareness about specific entry points for dialogue among Irish CSOs.

Ireland selects and maintains partnerships with multilaterals based on specific criteria and regular reviews, which also guide its allocations for core funding. It partners mainly with multilateral organisations with mandates that are aligned with its own policy priorities and bilateral co-operation programme. Ireland also assesses organisations based on their results and its own capacity to influence them. In addition, A Better World specifies how Ireland plans to use multilateral partnerships under each policy priority. Ireland also uses assessments of the Multilateral Organisation Performance Assessment Network and other sources such as the United Kingdom’s Multilateral Development Review to regularly adjust its funding decisions (Department for International Development, United Kingdom, 2016[19]). As Ireland plans to increase the aid budget, deepening its investment in priority organisations, including through core resources, could strengthen its voice, which is already valued for its constructive engagement (Chapter 5).

Ireland is developing a Framework for Multilateral Engagement. Ireland’s 2014 peer review recommended that the Irish government set out its ambition and priorities for multilaterals. Ireland is in the advanced stages of developing a Framework for Multilateral Engagement that aims to bring a more coherent, holistic and focused approach to multilateral engagement (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland, 2019[11]). This will help Ireland to focus its contributions more strategically and gain greater influence, including through increased collaboration across government departments.

References

[19] Department for International Development, United Kingdom (2016), Raising the Standard: The Multilateral Development Review 2016, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/raising-the-standard-the-multilateral-development-review-2016.

[2] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland (2019), A Better World Consultation Process Review (internal document).

[11] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland (2019), Implementation of A Better World: Status Report October 2019 (internal document).

[18] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland (2019), The Potential Impact of the EU Budget 2021-27 on Ireland’s Official Development Assistance and Implication for DFAT (internal document).

[7] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland (2018), Mission Guidelines for Africa Strategy and Innovation Fund (internal document).

[9] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland (2018), Rapid Overview of One World, One Future (internal document).

[14] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland (2017), Appraisers’ Guide for the Programme Grant II (2017-2022) and the Humanitarian Programme Plan (2017-2018) (internal document).

[12] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland (2017), Standard Approach & Process Guide to Mission Strategy Planning (internal document).

[15] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland (2017), Standard Approach to Grant Management in DCAD.

[1] Government of Ireland (2019), A Better World: Ireland’s Policy for International Development, https://www.irishaid.ie/media/irishaid/aboutus/abetterworldirelandspolicyforinternationaldevelopment/A-Better-World-Irelands-Policy-for-International-Development.pdf.

[6] Government of Ireland (2019), DAC Peer Review 2020: Memorandum of Ireland.

[8] Government of Ireland (2019), Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for Africa to 2025, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dublin, https://www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/publications/Global-Ireland---Irelands-Strategy-for-Africa-to-2025.pdf.

[4] Government of Ireland (2018), Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025, https://www.ireland.ie/media/ireland/stories/globaldiaspora/Global-Ireland-in-English.pdf.

[3] Government of Ireland (2015), The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, https://www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/alldfawebsitemedia/ourrolesandpolicies/ourwork/global-island/the-global-island-irelands-foreign-policy.pdf.

[20] Government of Ireland (2014), Framework for Action for One World, One Future, https://www.irishaid.ie/media/irishaid/allwebsitemedia/20newsandpublications/publicationpdfsenglish/Action-Framework-Web-Version.pdf.

[5] Government of Ireland (2013), One World, One Future: Ireland’s Policy For International Development, https://www.irishaid.ie/news-publications/publications/publicationsarchive/2013/may/one-world-one-future-irelands-policy/.

[17] GPEDC (2019), Kampala Principles on Effective Private Sector Engagement in Development Co-operation, Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC), Paris, https://effectivecooperation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kampala-Principles-final.pdf.

[16] Holzman, C., C. Barot and S. Franklin (2019), A Review of Private Sector Engagement for Development: Recommendations For Ireland, unpublished.

[13] Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland (2015), Irish Aid Research Strategy 2015-2019, https://www.irishaid.ie/media/irishaid/allwebsitemedia/20newsandpublications/publicationpdfsenglish/Irish-Aid-Research-Strategy-2015-2019.pdf.

[10] OECD (2019), Greening Development Co-operation: Lessons from the OECD Development Assistance Committee, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/62cc4634-en.

[22] OECD (2019), OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviews: Norway 2019, OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/75084277-en.

[23] OECD (2019), OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviews: Switzerland 2019, OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264312340-en.

[21] OECD (2015), OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviews: New Zealand 2015, OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264235588-en.

Notes

← 1. This description is in the Foreword of the policy document by An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney.

← 2. The protection cluster includes work on fragility, conflict and protracted crises through improved government co-ordination, regional approaches and assistance during emergencies. The food cluster includes work on hunger and/or undernutrition, agricultural markets and inclusive economic growth around agriculture. The protection cluster includes work on health, education and social protection systems.

← 3. Support for SIDS will mainly strengthen policy engagement and coherence, building on what done to support SIDS in multilateral processes, with limited financial implications for Ireland especially related to addressing climate vulnerability.

← 4. A list of partner countries is published on its website, though not fully up to date. Currently, Ireland’s priority countries are Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Sierra Leone and Vietnam.

← 5. Ireland could also draw on the experience of other DAC members. One such example is New Zealand, which, outside the Pacific, focuses on niche areas rather than trying to work in areas already covered by other donors, thus supporting division of labour. See (OECD, 2015[21]) at https://doi.org/10.1787/ 9789264235588-en.

← 6. The budget of the Africa Strategy and Innovation Fund is EUR 3.5 million in 2019.

← 7. Ireland could draw on other DAC members’ experience in using regional programmes. For example, Switzerland and Norway engage extensively at regional level. See (OECD, 2019[23]) at https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264312340-en regarding Switzerland and (OECD, 2019[22]) at https://doi.org/10.1787/75084277-en regarding Norway.

← 8. See the Foreword written by An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, in (Government of Ireland, 2019, p. ii[1]) at https://www.irishaid.ie/media/irishaid/aboutus/ abetterworldirelandspolicyforinternationaldevelopment/A-Better-World-Irelands-Policy-for-International-Development.pdf.

← 9. Both the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid and the 2013 document, One World, One Future, placed the reduction of poverty and vulnerability at the centre of the Irish international development programme. The 2013 policy, in particular, had as a focus the poorest of the poor.

← 10. DFAT Gender Network seeks to support co-ordination, learning and knowledge sharing among gender focal points in headquarters and missions.

← 11. Programme agreements include a standard clause obliging implementing partners to contribute towards the promotion and protection of the environment (Chapter 4). Despite this, the Standard Appraisal, Recommendation and Approval form was amended in July 2019 and now assesses programme design against climate action rather than environmental impact.

← 12. The Climate and Development Learning Platform, jointly managed by DFAT and the International Institute for Environment and Development, aims to support units and partners to integrate climate change into development programming. See https://www.climatelearningplatform.org. The Climate Action Reports contain information on Ireland’s efforts on adaptation and mitigation in partner countries. International climate change partners work to improve the linkages between local experience and international policy frameworks.

← 13. For example, at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the Taoiseach committed to invest USD 175 million in climate finance by 2020, a target that was reached in 2018. At the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, Ireland committed to provide at least EUR 250 million to global education with a focus on girls and emergencies by 2024. A Better World also reports this pledge.

← 14. The Framework for Action (Government of Ireland, 2014[20]), used under One World, One Future, detailed as many as 150 priority actions under 7 priority areas, which was burdensome and undercut its function as a management instrument.

← 15. For instance, how does Ireland conceive the roles of the public sector and civil society in service delivery-heavy sectors such as health and education and of public and private sector in agriculture? What are Ireland’s expectations of multilateral organisations and international CSOs in this regard?

← 16. According to the SAGM, examples of identification criteria that grant managers have to use when screening potential engagements are: contribution to Ireland’s foreign policy objectives; response to needs; partner’s capacity and efficiency; presence of historical or outstanding issues with partner; availability of resources; opportunity for learning; etc.

← 17. For instance, in the context of the Human Rights Council, Ireland was as co-facilitator of the first United Nations resolutions on civil society space. It is also currently co-chairing the Task Team on Civil Society Development Effectiveness and Enabling Environment.

← 18. Examples of such programmes include the Africa Agri-Food Development Programme, the Irish Potato Coalition, and the market and value chain analysis the Coalition has been conducting.

← 19. Ireland joined the Asian Development Bank in 2006.