SEMINAR ON THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS 30TH JUNE 2004

Appendix D (Public Participation already in place)

National Level

A process of national partnership on social and economic and environmental issues has developed over recent decades in the context of, initially, national wage agreements involving the Government, employers and trade unions and, in more recent times, more broadly-based national agreements on social and economic and environmental issues.

Comhar

The National Sustainable Development Partnership is the forum for national consultation and dialogue on all issues surrounding Ireland's pursuit of sustainable development. Comhar brings together those whose actions impact on the environment and those who are concerned with its protection and preservation. It aims to reflect the three distinct aspects of sustainable development - environmental, economic and social interests. In 1998 nominations were invited from 59 national organisations and 25 members were appointed by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government for a period of three years. The membership of Comhar is drawn from five pillars:

- the State sector
- the economic sector oenvironmental NGOs
- social/community NGOs oprofessional / academic organisations.

Core funding for eNGO's

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) is committed to enhancing the capacity of environmental NGOs to contribute to debate and policy development and implementation at national and international level. For this purpose the company Environmental (Ecological) NGO Core Funding Ltd (EENGOCF) has been established with 23 participating national-level eNGOs and with a remit which includes:

- facilitation and support of NGO engagement with national and international policy process
- delivery of enhanced funding
- distribution of funds among groups
- administration and co-ordination of activities for collective NGO action
- co-ordination of research and opinion by NGOs based on the consent of NGOs.

The participating eNGOs envisage the company as a non-executive, non-policy-making body which will carry out such administrative and co-ordinating activities as may seem appropriate to all component members. A proposal was made to the DEHLG in May 2003 by VOICE (on behalf of a group of 18 eNGOs) for the creation of a National Co-ordinator post to support the participation of eNGOs in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. The proposal has been approved by the DEHLG on the basis that the funding will be channelled through the company Environmental (Ecological) NGO Core Funding Ltd. Arrangements are being made for appointment of a co-ordinator.

Local Level

Better Local Government was launched in 1996, and was implemented and given statutory effect by the Local Government Act, 2001 for the reform and strengthening of local government. A principal objective was to develop further the co-working of participative democracy alongside representative democracy.

Each city council and county council in 1999/2000 established a number (e.g. 4 or 5) of Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) to advise and assist the Council in the formulation, development and review of policy. The membership of each SPC comprises one-third (at least) of social / economic sectoral representatives (including the social partners), and two-third elected councillors.

SPC members are nominated by the national partnership pillars in the case of the three pillars of employers, trade unions and farming bodies. The community and voluntary sectoral representatives are nominated through local arrangements, in particular via the community and voluntary fora.

Each city council and county council in 2000 established a City /County Development Board (CDB) to bring about a more co-ordinated delivery of public and local development services at local level i.e. "joined-up government" at local level. A primary task was to draw up and implement a Strategy for the Economic, Social and Cultural Development of the city /county. The membership of a typical CDB is:

- local government (7)
- local development (6)
- State agencies (9)
- Social partners (5)

The members representing the social partners might include employers and business organisations (1), trade unions (1), agriculture (1), community and voluntary organisations (2).

The communication and consultation with the Community and Voluntary sector, and its participation in the process, is facilitated by a Community and Voluntary Forum (CVF) established in each city / county and comprising representatives of registered local organisations.

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