This paper contends that in order for Ireland to fulfill its foreign policy commitments on the promotion of gender equality and the principles of UNSCR1325, the development of an Irish National Action Plan on UNSCR1325 is essential and should be prioritized. This paper is submitted by the Irish Joint Consortium on Gender Based Violence to the Irish Government to influence and contribute in a practical way to the development of an Irish National Action Plan for the full implementation of UNSCR 1325. The Consortium has engaged in a process of consultation with the Conflict Resolution Unit (CRU) of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs 2 where both bodies have discussed a shared interest in developing and implementing an Irish National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325. The CRU has taken UNSCR 1325 as a core theme of its work and is well positioned to lead the development of an Irish National Action Plan. This paper and the recommendations set out within do not take the place of a full consultative process which the Consortium recommends is undertaken by the Irish Government to develop the NAP. Research for this paper was conducted over a three-month period and aimed to identify good practice examples of how NAPs have been developed by other countries. The paper outlines lessons learned from these processes, a brief overview of what they contain in terms of content and identifies good practices in terms of implementation, monitoring and evaluation – examples which Ireland could employ as it embarks on the development of its NAP. A set of recommendations is derived from this research and sets out a way forward for the Irish NAP. The paper confirms that existing NAPs have made a difference in advancing gender equality perspectives in foreign, security and development cooperation policies and are considered to be key tools in the implementation of such policies. They also ensure that a comprehensive approach to addressing women, peace and security issues is taken.”