Ireland’s Programme for Government 2025

The recently published Irish Government's Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future presents an ambitious plan, but its alignment with an intelligent approach—defined as one that senses, decides, and acts in real-time by harnessing data, human cognition and an adaptive approach varies across different areas. Such an approach is important as it is necessary to navigate an increasingly turbulent and unknowable world.

Review comments

Here are some observations:

• Use of data and AI: The programme acknowledges the role of AI, digitalisation, and data in governance, public services, and economic growth. However, there is little detail on how AI and data-driven decision-making will be integrated into governance structures beyond standard digitalisation initiatives.

  • Back in 2020, when an earlier edition of this policy document was introduced, AI was mentioned once. It gets six mentions this time around. This reflects the possibility that the profound impact AI will have on Irish society is not yet fully recognised.

• Adaptiveness and feedback loops: Whilst the document outlines long-term strategies (e.g., climate, economic and housing policies), it lacks clear mechanisms for real-time feedback loops or adaptive decision-making frameworks that would allow for dynamic policy adjustments. Unlike similar programmes, local authorities are recognised as playing a critical role in the delivery of government services – a definite positive. However there does not appear to be a mechanism that enables local authority wisdom to inform central government decision making.

• Systems thinking: The plan includes multiple interdependent policy areas, but it doesn’t explicitly frame problems in a systems-thinking approach. For example, while it links economic growth with public services and climate action, it doesn’t propose a comprehensive, real-time sensing and response mechanism to balance these dynamically.

• Cognition and innovation: The focus on research, education and fostering enterprise is promising. Innovation is mentioned thirty-eight times. But there is a sense that innovation is something that is driven by academics and innovation professionals, who take a very systematic approach. The reality is that humans are innovation engines so harnessing the cognitive capacity of the ‘crowd’ and the wider ecosystem(s) need to be factored in. This will lead to greater citizen engagement and will in turn serve to reinforce a sense of democracy.

• Decision-making and organisational intelligence: The programme lacks explicit governance innovations that would enable the government itself to become an intelligent organisation. There is little mention of decentralised decision-making, enhanced civic participation through AI-assisted democracy, or real-time scenario modelling. In its current form, citizens can at best shape local matters. This is a very small step towards a citizen-centric government and risks potentially squandering the cognitive potential of the Irish people.

  
  

In summary

Whilst the Programme for Government 2025 incorporates elements of intelligence—such as digitalisation, sustainability and economic foresight—it does not fully embrace a model where government functions as a living system that senses, decides and acts dynamically. Greater emphasis on adaptive governance, participative government, real-time intelligence and systemic agility would strengthen its ability to navigate and thrive in an increasingly disruptive world.