Typical outputs from Phase 3

Once we have clarified the policy objectives, analysed the options, and identified the policy recommendations, we need to document them. We might need to consider whether the public need to be consulted on draft proposals to:

• raise the general public's awareness, and/or
• get their views

We may also need to liaise with expert groups who might have useful technical advice to share.

For example, the Department of Environment, Climate, and Communications published a draft policy statement on geothermal energy. It was concerned with formally gathering the views of the public and key stakeholders. These included environmental groups, geoscientists and engineers, and potential sponsors and operators of geothermal energy projects.

We may also have to prepare internal documents to share with senior officials, an internal policy committee, or the Minister. The specific structure of these documents will vary depending on the audience, but they will typically include:

• the agreed policy objectives
• an analysis of the options considered and budget implications
• (where appropriate) a cost benefit analysis with sensitivity and scenario analysis
• an explicit assessment of legitimacy and feasibility, and
• the recommended policy direction based on the analysis

We may document a large-scale or multi-departmental policy as a Strategy, Framework, or Roadmap. These documents vary in structure and detail, but they all explain policy objectives and how they will be achieved. For example:

• AI – Here for Good: National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Ireland, 2021
• Understanding Life in Ireland: The Well-being Framework 2023
• Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025

At this stage in the policy development process, these documents would be in draft stage, pending Ministerial and Government decision in the next stage.

Phase 3 includes the scoping out of possible responses to the policy demand in the form of a credible intervention, compared to the ‘do nothing’ option of making no change. If the preferred option is recommending a new or modified intervention, then it should be accompanied by:

• clear objectives
• a good idea of how it will be put in place
• the resources needed (including sources of funding), and
• the consequences for other areas of government policy

This should all form part of the impartial advice in Phase 4.