The World Bank Group in Ireland

Ireland signed the World Bank's Articles of Agreement, making it the Bank's 61st member in 1957. Ireland joined the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 1958 and the International Development Association (IDA) in 1960.

Ireland and the World Bank Group work together to target the poorest and most vulnerable, especially in sub-Saharan Africa; create opportunities for growth in fragile and conflict-affected states; promote global collective action on food security, education and health; and promote gender equality. The World Bank Group’s expertise, knowledge, and ability to work across sectors and countries helps further the goals of human, economic, and sustainable development around the world.

Ireland is a valued shareholder of the institutions of the World Bank Group, and partner focused on efforts that benefit the most vulnerable people across the globe.

The World Bank Group’s office covering Ireland and the UK works to promote consensus around the international development agenda and build a platform for collaboration between the World Bank and Ireland. It does this by promoting better understanding of the World Bank Group’s mission and activities and building relationships with key stakeholders such as government, members of the Oireachtas (Parliament), civil society organizations, think tanks, the private sector, academia, and the media.

It also supports outreach activities, often in collaboration with Irish partners, such as organizing and supporting roundtables, consultations, and other events on development-related topics. The office serves as an entry point for groups in Ireland wishing to contact World Bank staff across the world or access the plethora of information the World Bank Group publishes, and it responds to media queries. It also seeks to increase opportunities for collaboration between Ireland and the World Bank Group through co-financing, trust funds, and joint analytical work in sectors and regions of mutual interest.

Governor

Ireland's Minister for Finance Jack Chambers sits on the World Bank Board of Governors, the Bank’s senior decision-making body. The Governors meet twice a year. The Governors have the power to admit and suspend members of the World Bank Group, increase or decrease the authorized capital stock, determine the distribution of the net income of the Bank, and decide on the World Bank Group’s overall strategic direction.

The Department of Finance leads Ireland's relations with the World Bank and provides core funding to the World Bank. Irish Aid engages with the World Bank on policy and program issues.

To connect with the current governors and alternate governors offices, please refer to this document.

Executive Director

The Governor delegates responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day business at the Bank to the Executive Director (ED). The ED is the Governor’s representative on the 25-member World Bank Board of Executive Directors. EDs reside in Washington D.C. and normally meet twice a week to decide on borrowing and financial questions, projects, and policies that impact World Bank Group general operations. 

Ireland’s representation on the Boards of IBRD, IFC, IDA, and MIGA is shared in a constituency with Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Katharine Rechico (Canada) is the ED representing the constituency, and Marie Rodland-Allen (Bahamas) is the Alternate Executive Director. Eddie Tierney and Cormac Mangan are the current Irish advisors to the Executive Director.

Shares and Voting Power

The World Bank Group has a weighted system of voting. All members of the Bank receive votes consisting of share votes (one vote for each share of the Bank's capital stock held by the member) plus basic votes (calculated so that the sum of all basic votes is equal to 5.55% of the sum of basic votes and share votes for all members). The voting power distribution differs from agency to agency within the World Bank Group.

For the latest voting status, please visit the Voting Powers page.

For information on Ireland’s aid flows as a donor, please visit the AidFlows Ireland page.