Study Visit: Partnership with the Federal Parliament of Nepal and Irish Houses of The Oireachtas
Past Event - 16-18 July 2025From 16–18 July, the Houses of the Oireachtas hosted a three-day study visit for senior members of Nepal’s parliamentary administration. The visit was organised under the Inter Pares Partnership with the Federal Parliament of Nepal and built on a series of ongoing peer-to-peer exchanges between Nepali and Irish counterparts aimed at supporting the establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) in Nepal.
The programme focused on strengthening the Nepali delegation’s understanding of the Irish Parliamentary Budget Office, including its mandate, structure and role in supporting parliamentarians in budgetary scrutiny and fiscal oversight. Through a series of dedicated sessions, participants examined the PBO’s core functions, working principles, key services and products, as well as its operational challenges and long-term strategic vision. The delegation also gained insight into Ireland’s broader budgetary process, providing important context for how the PBO operates within the national fiscal framework.
The visit further explored the wider ecosystem of budgetary support within the Irish Parliament. Sessions with the Parliamentary Research Service (PRS) and committee secretariats highlighted their respective roles in fiscal oversight and their collaboration with the PBO. Additional discussions focused on strategic communications and the use of data visualisation to make complex financial information more accessible to Members of Parliament. A dedicated session on digital transformation offered valuable perspectives on the modernisation of parliamentary processes and services.
On the final day, the Nepali delegation presented their recent experience in establishing a Parliamentary Budget Office in Nepal. This presentation prompted a rich exchange on the key elements of effective PBO practice, common challenges, and considerations for future operations.
Inter Pares extends its sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the visit, including Mr Peter Finnegan, Clerk of Dáil Éireann; Ms Annette Connolly, Director of the Irish PBO; Ms Denise O’Connell, Deputy Director; and the entire Irish PBO team, for generously sharing their expertise. Appreciation is also extended to Mr Prasad Pandey, Secretary General of the House of Representatives of Nepal; Dr Rojnath Pandey, Secretary; Ms Babita Mishra, Head of the Nepali PBO; and the full Nepali delegation for their active engagement and valuable contributions throughout the visit.
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