Public Engagement for Better Policy

The Institute for Lifecourse & Society (ILAS) hosted a seminar titled “Public Engagement for Better Policy” on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, from 10:00am to 4:00pm in Room G018 of the ILAS Building. This event was part of ILAS’s Public Policy Innovation Series, framed by the overarching theme “Enabling Equity Across the Lifecourse”.

The seminar focused on profiling a selection of existing practices and critically assessing the contribution of public engagement in policy to the goal of social solidarity across the life-course. It also reflected on the role of higher education in supporting public engagement processes as part of its evidence-to-policy mission.

The event featured several plenary sessions and panel discussions:

Plenary 1: Putting the Public into Public Policy: Engaging for Better Decision Making
Speaker: Sally Washington, Practice Fellow, Policy Capability and Public Management, Australia and New Zealand School of Government
Panel Discussion 1: Public Engagement in Policy Development
Moderator: Frances Fahy, Director, Ryan Institute, University of Galway
Panelists: Tania Banotti (CEO, Creative Ireland), Dr. Naomi Feely (Policy Director, Children’s Rights Alliance), Prof. Eilionóir Flynn (Director, School of Law, University of Galway), Niamh Garvey (Senior Policy Analyst, National Economic & Social Council), Paddy Mahon (Chairman, Local Government Management Agency)
Plenary 2: Codesigning Pathways to a Carbon Neutral Ireland: Putting Democratic Legitimacy at the Heart of Climate Policy
Speaker: Oonagh Buckley, Secretary General, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Plenary 3: The Impact of Public Engagement on Irish Health Policy and Health Service Reform
Speaker: Muiris O'Connor, Assistant Secretary, R&D and Health Analytics Division, Department of Health

The seminar concluded with a recorded message from Taoiseach Micheál Martin and reflections by Elizabeth Canavan (Department of the Taoiseach), Prof. Becky Whay (Deputy President and Registrar, University of Galway), Prof. John Canavan (Director, Institute for Lifecourse & Society), and Fergal Lynch (Chair of National Council for Special Education, former Secretary General, DCEDIY).