Environment
- Reform of VRT & motor tax: new carbon emissions-based regime
- Housing Act (2009): important measures on social and affordable housing and combating anti-social behaviour
- Shift away from incineration towards Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT). Review of waste management policy completed (2009)
- Publication of General Scheme of Noise Nuisance Bill (2009)
- Government Policy on Architecture 2009-2015
- Social Inclusion Unit programme extended
- Record investment in water services & sewage treatment infrastructure (thousands of jobs created)
- New water pollution regulations
- New regulations to facilitate return of used batteries to retail outlets
- Dog Breeding Establishments Act (2010) - regulation of commerical puppy farms
- Nitrates Directive case against Ireland concluded
- New regulations regarding illegal shipments of waste
- New measures to protect and enhance Dublin Bay
- Increased awareness of climate change through ‘Change’ campaign
- €13m market development programme for developing domestic recyclates to products industry
- New regulations against backyard burning of waste
- Wildlife Amendment Act (2010), banning the hunting of deer with hounds
- Increase in funding for the homeless, €62m in 2010

Planning
- Planning and Development Amendment Act (2010): new requirment for evidence-based core strategy in development plans; align the National Spatial Strategy, Regional Planning Guidelines, development plans and local area plans; greater legal force for Ministerial guidelines; de-zoning of surplus re-zoned land
- Building regulations to ensure 40% greater energy efficiency in new buildings
- New draft planning guidelines on flood risk management
- Sustainable residential development planning guidelines
- New standards for apartments: bedsits to be phased out; landlords to be responsible for gardens, exteriors and common areas
- New e-Planning policy for online planning submissions and objections

Economy
- Developing a green economy in areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and environmental goods and services - thousands of jobs created in the past two and a half years
- Implementation of a new strategy for the digital economy: 6 Government actions to create 30,000 jobs over a 5-10 year period

Energy
- New supports and grants for renewable energy generation and research, including new price for offshore wind energy, and grants for businesses, schools and hospitals who install biomass-fuelled and anaerobic digestion CHP units
- €130million in 2010 for national retrofitting programme: social housing, low and middle income insulation programme. Greener Homes Scheme for renewable energy systems
- Massive investment by ESB in a renewable energy future: target of carbon net-zero by 2035. Strategic, greener plan for Bord Na Móna. Thousands of jobs to be created
- Roll-out of smart metering across Ireland: 21,000 electricity customers to get free energy-saving electricity meters in first phase of scheme
- Planning exemptions for Micro-Renewable technology
- National Energy Efficiency Action Plan
- A carbon levy
- Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010
- Carbon Revenue Levy Act (2010), recovering from power generators a substantial portion of the unearned carbon windfall gains received

Finance
- A more progressive tax code; increase in effective tax rate for those availing of reliefs
- Ending of the ‘Cindarella clause’ regarding “tax-exiles”; €200,000 annual levy for Irish non-residents with significant capital interests in Ireland
- Tax allowances for businesses that invest in energy-efficient equipment
- Establishment of an independent, thorough and cost-effective banking inquiry
- A new, credible financial regulatory framework
- Help for mortgage holders in arrears through Government commitment to implement taskforce recommendations

Local Government and Heritage
- Publication of Green paper on Local Government reform: proposals seek accountable decision making, quality local service delivery and greater local leadership. Commitment to a directly elected mayor for Dublin, responsible for strategic policy regarding planning, waste management, water services and housing
- Limits, for the first time, on local election spending
- Review of archaeological procedures and practices in Ireland
- Increase in funding for natural and built heritage
- New policy on protecting historic urban defences such as walls in Kilkenny
- Instructions to local authorities to publish online information on water quality

Political reform
- End of e-voting project
- Cut in number of junior ministers
- Cut in Oireachtas members’ expenses and allowances
- Opening up of competitions for senior civil service vacancies to those in the private sector
- New limits for councillors’ expenses

Communications and Natural Resources
- Communications Act 2009: establishes Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, framework for Irish film channel, Oireachtas channel and code for junk food advertising
- New policy on shifting IP based Next Generation Networks
- National Broadband Scheme: universal coverage by 2010
- A commitment to high-speed broadband for every second-level school in the country
- Digital terrestrial television trials conducted in advance of national roll-out by 2012
- New laws to tackle spam
- Communications Regulation Act (2010) - clamp down on text message and premium rate rip-offs
- Increase in resource tax rate on oil and gas companies exploring Irish shores - Launch of exemplar network, high-speed, high-quality digital network

Agriculture and Food
- Launch of Organic Farming Action Plan 2008-2012
- Promotion of local food and farmers’ markets
- Allocation of additional milk quota to organic milk producers
- Increased supports for and interest in organic farming option
- School foods programmes to encourage children to learn about food growing
- Increased funding for Irish forestry

Education
- Increase in funding for school building programme - €534m in 2007, €614m in 2009
- Long-term funding secured for the 12 ABA centres (for children with autism) in current pilot scheme
- Protection of investment in education
- Code of Practice on Provision of Schools within the planning system: integrating schools provision within the development plan process, with particular regard to anticipated levels of demand for school places
- An increase in the number of adult literacy places provided (3,000 in 2007)

Transport
- Sustainable travel action plan
- Safeguarding of important public transport projects such as Metro North and the Inter-connector
- Plan for electrification of Irish motoring: target of 10% of Irish cars to be powered by electricity by 2020 through tax incentives, research and information
- ‘Cycle to work’ scheme

Justice
- Civil Partnerships Act (2010)