Seventy organizations in Ireland advocate for the appointment of a "Long-Term Strategist" to promote a long-term perspective.
The Commission for Future Generations Bill, a proposed legislation aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability and combating short-termism in government policy-making, is currently gaining significant traction in Ireland. The Bill, which was originally put before the Oireachtas by former Green TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh, has been re-introduced to the Government's legislative agenda.
The proposed Future Generations Commissioner, if passed, would serve as a guardian for future generations, scrutinizing government policy, providing expert advice, and holding government departments accountable for the long-term consequences of their decisions. The role is seen as crucial for the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the protection of the long-term interests of Irish citizens.
The Bill aims to institutionalize long-term sustainability by ensuring policies are evaluated through the lens of their impact on future generations. This model draws inspiration from Wales, which has successfully implemented a Future Generations Commissioner, showing improvements in policy coherence and sustainability planning.
Youth engagement is a significant component of the Bill's advocacy. The GOAL NextGen Youth programme's “Letters to the Future” initiative channels young people's hopes and demands into advocacy for this Commissioner, ensuring their voices influence policymaking about climate and sustainability.
The event showcasing the support for the Commission for Future Generations Bill from various civil society groups, trade unions, and political figures, including Labour spokesman on climate, energy, and the environment, Ciarán Ahern, highlights the potential for the Bill to lead to real results in terms of policy coherence, sustainability, and long-term planning. A coalition of over 70 civil society groups and trade unions in Ireland is advocating for the appointment of a "commissioner for future generations" to act as a "sustainability tsar".
Ciarán Ahern describes the ombudsman role as a "sustainability tsar" and refers to the success of a similar role in Wales. He emphasizes the effectiveness of a dedicated office in challenging short-termism and embedding future thinking across government. Karen Ciesielski, Irish Environmental Network chief executive, highlights the need for transformative action that is founded on fairness, guided by science, and focused on delivering a wellbeing economy.
Sarah Carr of the Goal NextGen youth program references the example of Wales, stating, "What Wales did in 2015, Ireland must do in 2025." She emphasizes the importance of a commissioner for future generations, stating, "We are the last generation with a real chance to get this right and a commissioner for future generations can pave the way for action."
Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman believes passing this Bill would send a clear message that Ireland is serious about future-proofing its policies and living up to its international commitments under the SDGs. He states, "Ireland stands at a pivotal moment in its response to the converging climate and environmental crises."
As of mid-July 2025, the Bill has not yet been passed but is receiving considerable public and political support, viewed as critical to breaking Ireland’s cycle of short-termism and enabling preparatory action for long-term climate resilience and equitable resource management. Passing this legislation would send a strong message internationally that Ireland is serious about future-proofing its policies and responding proactively to the climate crisis and sustainability challenges.
- The proposed Future Generations Commissioner, if passed, will play a vital role in ensuring Irish government policies align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and protect the long-term interests of Irish citizens, drawing inspiration from the success of a similar role in Wales.
- The Commission for Future Generations Bill aims to institutionalize long-term sustainability by evaluating policies through the lens of their impact on future generations and combating short-termism in government policy-making, similar to the model implemented in Wales.
- The Bill's advocacy prioritizes youth engagement, showcased by the GOAL NextGen Youth program's "Letters to the Future" initiative, which empowers young people to influence policymaking about climate and sustainability.
