From Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
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The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, has today (8 March) launched a new public consultation forum to encourage members of the public, and civil society organisations, to submit their ideas for Ireland’s Open Government National Action Plan 2023-2025.
The Open Government Partnership initiative challenges governments to be more transparent, accountable and responsive to citizens, in support of democracy and inclusive growth.
A new online consultation portal has opened allowing people to submit their views on the creation of a new two-year Open Government National Action Plan for Ireland.
Launching the consultation, Minister Donohoe said:
“Individual Open Government initiatives in Ireland in recent years have been positively viewed, particularly in the areas of whistleblowing, lobbying and citizen engagement in areas such as the Citizens’ Assembly.
“This consultation process provides a great opportunity for members of the public and civil society groups alike to ensure their voice is heard, and to highlight their priorities for the two years of the forthcoming plan.
“The government is committed to a meaningful dialogue with the public and civil society to ensure the new plan is a collaborative piece of work - one which generates practical outcomes that impact how we design and deliver our services for the public.”
Four core themes for consideration will be included in the next National Action Plan covering Transparency and Accountability in Public Office; Participative Democracy and Budgeting; Public Access to Government Data, and Strengthening Public Trust in Government.
Potential proposals for the National Action Plan will be identified by citizens and stakeholders through the consultation process which will close on 6 April.
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multilateral initiative currently comprising 79 countries. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is leading Ireland’s OGP programme of work on behalf of the Irish Government.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to continue and reinvigorate participation by the public sector in the OGP.
In 2021, the OGP recognised Ireland’s progress in delivering Open Government values, with an international award for Open Government Impact in Citizen Participation.
A multi-stakeholder forum, the Open Government Round Table, has been established to promote the active engagement of citizens and civil society.
The Round Table group has been instrumental in co-creating previous Open Government National Action Plans, and will play a key role in the co-creation of the fourth OGP National Action Plan.