The context for regional development is constantly being reshaped by the globalised economic system, which affects regions differently, with the attendant risk that disparities will widen. Irish Regional Policy: In Search of Coherence examines the coherence of Irish regional policy in this evolving context. It develops and applies a model of policy coherence to Irish regional policy in relation to investment planning processes, spatial planning and territorial governance.

The dominant regional economic growth theories and the influential concepts of territorial cohesion, regional competitiveness and polycentric spatial development are critically reviewed. The rationale for regional policy is re-examined; a typology of regional policy interventions and territorial governance arrangements is outlined, and its relevance to Ireland is assessed.

Irish Regional Policy: In Search of Coherence combines an analysis of documentary sources and statistical trends with the outcomes of 24 interviews with leading personnel in four categories - government departments and agencies, subnational public bodies, selected academic experts and social partner bodies - all of whom are active players in regional policy development, implementation and evaluation processes.

Among the key findings are that regional policy goals are subsidiary to national goals and that Irish regional policy lacks coherence with related policies. The study finds a need for an enhanced role for region-level bodies that would greatly improve the territorial co-ordination of sectoral policies. It concludes that the policy coherence framework is a useful one that could be applied more generally in reviewing public policies.
 

1. Introduction
   Regional development context
   Research hypothesis
   Research aim and objectives
   Methodology
   Main findings and conclusions
   Utility of the study
   Structure
    
2. Regional Economic Growth and Regional Policy
   Regional economic growth theories
   Measurement of regional performance and convergence
   Influential concepts: Territorial cohesion, polycentric urban development and competitiveness
   Do regions matter? The case for regional policy
   A typology of regional policies
   Policy coherence and policy effectiveness
   Chapter conclusions
    
3. Methodology
   Research philosophy
   Research strategy
   Research methods
   Design of research instrument and selection of interviewees
   Organisation of interviews
   Data analysis
   Ethics, confidentiality and position of researcher
   Ensuring the quality of the research
   Chapter conclusions
    
4. Regional Development Policy in Ireland
   Evolution of Irish regional policy
   National Development Plans and the National Spatial Strategy
   Selected sectoral strategies
   Sources of regional divergence in Ireland Regional socioeconomic trends
   Chapter conclusions
    
5. Findings and Discussion
   Rationale for Irish regional policy
   Current goals and principal features of Irish regional policy
   Effectiveness of Irish regional policy
   Convergence and divergence forces
   Preferred goals and influential policy drivers
   Measurement
   Investment planning and investment strategies
   Spatial planningTerritorial governance
   Role of regional bodies
   Chapter conclusions
    
6. Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
   Summary of findings by theme
   Conclusions and implications for Irish regional policy
   Coherence of Irish regional policy
   Recommendations
   Limitations of this study
   Areas for further research
   Concluding comments
    

Bibliography
Glossary 
Appendix 1: List of Interviewees
Appendix 2: Interview Guide
Appendix 3: Letter to Interviewees
Index