Country Profiles

National Economic and Social Council (NESC) 

An Chomhairle Náisiúnta Eacnamaíoch agus Sóisialach 

Contact

Phone: +353 1 8146300

Fax: +353 1 8146301

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Address: 16 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

Website: http://www.nesc.ie/

Republi of Ireland

Mission Statement

To advise the Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland) on strategic issues for Ireland’s economic and social development.
 

Role and Functions

The NESC has a history of producing reports with strategic, long-term analyses of key economic and social development issues affecting Ireland.  Its early work focused on the economy, taxation, population and emigration, and agricultural policy.  It has also produced reports over the years on employment, housing and education, social policy, Ireland in the EU, public services, and well-being.  From 1986 to 2006 the NESC regularly produced strategy reports which were the basis for negotiating the social partnership agreements, as well as contributing to development of overall Government policy.

In January 2012, the sustainable development role performed by Comhar, the Sustainable Development Council (SDC), was integrated into the work of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). NESC will now develop its work in a way that integrates sustainable development issues into its analysis of significant national challenges.

Composition and Membership 

The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) was established in 1973 and advises the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) on strategic issues for Ireland’s economic and social development. 

The members of the Council are appointed by the Taoiseach, for a three year term. These members are representatives of business and employers’ organisations, trade unions, agricultural and farming organisations, community and voluntary organisations, and environmental organisations; as well as heads of Government departments and independent experts.  The make-up of the NESC Council means that it plays an important and unique role in bringing different perspectives from civil society together with Government.  This helps the NESC to analyse the challenges facing Irish society and to develop a shared understanding among its members of how to tackle these challenges.

President : Mr. Dermot McCarthy 
Director : Dr. Rory O’Donnell

Recent Activities

Recently, the Council examined the challenges facing the country, and identified five key parts to the current crisis. The Council argued that the crisis – fiscal, banking, economic, social and reputational - will demand fundamental changes in the economic and social system, in public policy and regulation, and in international relations and governance.

The NESC work programme includes three projects that are currently underway:

  • Unemployment and Active Labour Market Policies, 2011-2015
  • The Role of Standards in the Provision of Quality Human Services
  • Ireland’s Economic Recovery: Recognising Performance – Finding Shared Goals

Resources

Ireland and the Climate Change Challenge: Connecting 'How Much' with 'How To' (Dec. 2012)

 

Comhar Sustainable Development Council (SDC)

Contact

http://www.environ.ie/en/ContactUs/

Republi of Ireland

Composition and Membership

The Comhar Sustainable Development Council (SDC) was established in 1999 as the forum for national consultation and dialogue on all issues relating to sustainable development. However in January 2012, the sustainable development role performed by Comhar SDC, was integrated into the work of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). NESC will now develop its work in a way that integrates sustainable development issues into its analysis of significant national challenges, with the Comhar SDC now being inactive.

The Comhar Council was multi-stakeholder; made up of 25 people drawn from five sectors; the State sector, economic sectors, environmental NGOs, social/community NGOs and the professional/academic sector. It was supported by a full-time Secretariat and had an independent Chairperson.

Role and Functions

The mandate of the Comhar SDC was to:

    • Advance the national agenda for sustainable development.
    • Evaluate progress on achieving sustainable development in Ireland.
    • Research and make recommendations, tailored to national conditions, on specific approaches to, or instruments for sustainable development,
    • Advise on means of raising public awareness of sustainable development and environmental issues, and encouraging positive behaviour at individual, community and sectoral levels. 
    • Contribute to the formation of a national consensus on sustainable development.