Publications 2007
The Social Partners met in Farmleigh House on 8 November 2007 for the second Plenary meeting under Towards 2016. The Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister for Finance, Minister for Health and Children and Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government were in attendance. The Third Progress Report under Towards 2016 was launched at this meeting.
Following elections in May 2007, a new Government assumed office in June 2007 on the basis of an Agreed Programme for Government setting out in clear and ambitious terms its shared vision for Ireland’s development over the coming five years. The new Government is determined to maintain the success of the social partnership process, which serves as Ireland’s National Reform Partnership for the purposes of the Lisbon Agenda. It is committed to working with the social partners to ensure the full implementation of the Towards 2016 agreement negotiated in 2006, the seventh successive such agreement building on our well-established model of stakeholder engagement.
This report is the eighth Annual Report published by the Department under the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and the second report on progress under the Strategy Statement 2005-2007.
The Strategy Statement sets out our key objectives and overall direction. Each Division’s business plan is designed to assist the delivery of these objectives, which, in turn, are reflected in personal work objectives for each officer through the Performance Management and Development System. The Management Advisory Committee monitors progress on the implementation of business plans.
The Cross-departmental Group was established to bring a clear analysis and set of options to Government for consideration, in particular in relation to:
o An assessment of the actual implications of aviation connectivity for companies, to be carried out by the enterprise development agencies;
o Available options in supporting aviation connectivity for Shannon;
o The level of investment in the Shannon region that is provided for under the new NDP/ Transport 21;
o Implications for the operation of Shannon Airport itself;
o Legal advice on the issues surrounding Government’s role as shareholder in
This Programme for Government sets out in clear and ambitious terms our shared vision for Ireland’s development over the coming five years.
The hard work of Irish people has helped to create a dynamic society and a strong economy. This Government will work with the Irish people to safeguard the gains made, and to build a strong and sustainable nation for future generations.
We believe that the contents of this Programme will act as a blueprint for the next five years. It addresses the major challenges which we face, and sets out how these challenges can be addressed and overcome. Working with energy and commitment, we believe that Ireland can now turn the challenges we face into opportunities.
This manual is prepared in accordance with publication requirements set out in Section 15 of the Act. Its purpose is to facilitate access to official information held by this Department, by outlining the structure and functions of the Department; information on the classes of records we hold and information on how to make a request to the Department under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.
Since the First Progress Report, a number of key national strategies have been published by Government, including: a new Statement of Housing Policy, Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities; the White Paper on Energy Policy Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland 2007-2020; the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012; the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016, and the National Women’s Strategy 2007-2016.
This Handbook is an internal Government (Cabinet) guide for Ministers. Its purpose is to assist Ministers and officials in the preparation of matters to be dealt with at Government meetings, in accordance with the principles of collective responsibility. It also offers guidance on a number of ancillary matters. The guidelines in the Handbook may be changed by the Government as they see appropriate and, where appropriate the Government may decide that the guidelines (in whole or in part)do not apply in particular circumstances.
Report of the Government's progress towards implementation of the Programme for Government