Annex 1: Public Sector Duty Action Plan 2026–2029

The process to create the following action plan involved a number of steps over the course of an eight-month period. Strategy Governance and Change Unit (SGCU) firstly engaged with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to discuss Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) obligations and compliance, including in the context of preparation of a new Statement of Strategy.

Following this, a desk-based exercise and survey of functions as related to the Public Sector Duty was undertaken in Q4, 2025. Policy and operational Units with clear responsibilities in the context of the Duty, including but not limited to Human Resources, Corporate Compliance, Citizen Services Divisions, were asked to consider the discharge of their responsibilities, and to provide input for the assessment and action plan. A meeting of the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Management Board sub-committee also considered the Public Sector Duty in Q4.

A draft assessment and action plan was compiled in February 2026 to reflect the breadth of DFAT functions and initial feedback received. This allowed for broader circulation and consultation across the Department, including at a meeting of all relevant Divisions and Units, which led to further discussion and input over several months. In April 2026, the Management Board had a discussion on progress towards preparing our assessment and action plan and the Department's approach to integrating the Duty within the strategic management framework.

Ahead of publication, there was further engagement with IHREC, and the final assessment and action plan was discussed and signed off on by the Management Board. It was also discussed at a meeting of the GEDI Management Board subcommittee. Arrangements for ongoing monitoring, training to build understanding and to build in progress reporting were agreed in the finalisation of the documents - as set out in the assessment.