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A review of policy coherence in three environmental policy areas in Ireland

Author

Listed:
  • O’Riordan Joanna

    (Institute of Public Administration, Ireland)

  • Boyle Richard

    (Institute of Public Administration, Ireland)

Abstract

This paper reviews policy coherence in Ireland in respect of water, the circular economy and the bioeconomy. Policy coherence refers to the systematic promotion of mutually reinforcing policy actions across government in order to achieve agreed objectives. Policy coherence supports better governance. It has become prominent in the area of sustainable development as it is seen as critical to delivering on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, and ultimately better outcomes for citizens. The paper uses the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s recommendation on policy coherence for sustainable development as a framework of analysis in reviewing policy coherence in the three environmental policy areas. The paper concludes that Ireland is performing reasonably well in some aspects of policy coherence, for example there is a general orienting of government policy towards sustainable development, and some good examples of stakeholder engagement. However, a concerted effort is required to achieve the sort of policy coherence necessary to deliver transformative improvements in respect of water, the circular economy and the bioeconomy.

Suggested Citation

  • O’Riordan Joanna & Boyle Richard, 2025. "A review of policy coherence in three environmental policy areas in Ireland," Administration, Sciendo, vol. 73(2), pages 43-71.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:admini:v:73:y:2025:i:2:p:43-71:n:1003
    DOI: 10.2478/admin-2025-0010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. ., 2023. "Governance in crisis," Chapters, in: The Crisis of Governance, chapter 1, pages 1-17, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    2. ., 2023. "The crisis in corporate governance," Chapters, in: The Crisis of Governance, chapter 7, pages 136-156, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    3. Wagner, Paul M. & Ylä-Anttila, Tuomas, 2020. "Can policy forums overcome echo chamber effects by enabling policy learning? Evidence from the Irish climate change policy network," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 40(2), pages 194-211, June.
    4. Owen E. Hughes, 2023. "The Crisis of Governance," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 19578, December.
    5. Wagner, Paul M. & Ylä-Anttila, Tuomas, 2020. "Can policy forums overcome echo chamber effects by enabling policy learning? Evidence from the Irish climate change policy network – CORRIGENDUM," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 40(2), pages 212-213, June.
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