Discuss The Key Factors Which Have Influenced The Policy Making Process In Ireland

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Discuss the key factors which have influenced the policy making process in Ireland. The policy process in Ireland has been a complicated process that has its roots based in that of the British political system . The following essay will be discussing the key factors which have influenced the policy making process in Ireland. In order to accomplish this task I will have to first define the concept of what is involved in the policy making process. I will identify the main participants in this process and give an outline of how they contribute to this process. I will endeavor to examine the influences which Great Britain, the Constitution, the Catholic Church, societal values and pressure groups have had in shaping the policy making process in Ireland Earley (1999) looked at the policy making process by using the systems theory approach. This theory views society as a set of systems and sub systems that are interdependent upon one another. The system, which deals with demands generated by individuals, groups and society as a whole, is known as the political system. It is within this political arena that that most decisions on policy are arrived at. Spicker (1995) identifies ‘politics’ as the process through which decisions are made. Such a statement is highly relevant to the policy making process, for it is the politicians who make the decisions on which demands from the public will or will not be entertained. Policy making contributes either directly or indirectly to the prosperity and quality of life, which exists within society. Government and non-governmental agencies work together in order to bring about change or reform for the general population. A society needs some way of regulating the flow of demands in the policy making process. ‘Gatekeeping’ is used to describe the process by where pressure groups and individuals regulate the demands that

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