Open Government National Action Plans and Independent Review

Open Government is a culture of governance that promotes the principles of transparency, integrity, accountability and stakeholder participation in support of democracy and inclusive growth.

Open Government in Irelandrecognises that the active engagement of citizens and civil society is an essential element to co-create and monitor the Open Government National Action Plan.

Ireland has signed the Open Government (OGP) declaration and participates in its processes to advance the principles of transparency, integrity, accountability, and stakeholder participation. In July 2014, Ireland became a full member of the OGP when the Government adopted Ireland’s first National Action Plan 2014-2016 (developed in tandem with civil society). The process has altered from 1st January 2021 onwards, with guidance and implementation ongoing, but it commences with an Action Plan Review. Further details are available here.

Previously, the process was based on biennial National Action Plans with quarterly milestones and deliverables, including:

• National Action Plan submission
• Mid-term self-assessment.
• Mid-term independent assessment.
• End of term self-assessment.
• End-Term independent assessment.

The OGP’s Independent Reporting Mechanism hires independent experts (from academia within the relevant country) to undertake research and author progress reports in accordance with a required assessment methodology. These annual progress reports monitors the implementation of the OGP action plan and the quality of its engagement with Civil Society.

• Initial Open Government National Action Plan 2021-2023, with 3 agreed commitments here, was shared with Open Government Partnership to reinvigorate the process and ensured that Ireland emerged from Open Government Partnership ‘procedural review’ on 10 February 2022
• The Open Government Partnership Independent Action Plan Review for Ireland was published on 31 May 2022.
• Finalised amended Open Government National Action Plan 2021-2023, was submitted to OGP in July 2022.
• Open Government National Action Plan 2021 - 2023

• Open Government National Action Plan 2016-2018
• Open Government National Action Plan 2016-2018 Mid Term (Self-Assessment)
• Open Government National Action Plan 2016-2018 Mid Term Independent Review Mechanism
• Open Government National Action Plan 2016-2018 End of Term (Self Assessment)
• Open Government National Action Plan 2016-2018 End-Term Independent Review Mechanism

• Open Government National Action Plan 2014-2016
• Open Government National Action Plan 2014-2016 Mid Term (Self-Assessment)
• Open Government National Action Plan 2014-2016 Mid Term Independent Review Mechanism
• Open Government National Action Plan 2014-2016 End of Term (Self-Assessment)
• Open Government National Action Plan 2014-2016 End-Term Independent Review Mechanism

Email: IrelandOpenGovernment@per.gov.ie