Harnessing the Irish microbiology community to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
04 June 2025
As Ireland’s Second One Health Nation Action Plan (iNAP2) on AMR concludes, the Microbiology Society urges a stronger role for researchers in shaping the next phase of national policy.
These recommendations are based on views gathered from its community of Irish microbiologists through a series of workshops and surveys held in November and December 2024. The aim was to assess the current AMR research and development (R&D) landscape in Ireland and guide the formation of the upcoming iNAP3.
Key findings
Ireland’s AMR research ecosystem is rich in talent, collaboration and commitment to the One Health approach. Respondents highlighted a strong pool of skilled researchers, robust cross-sector collaboration and effective human surveillance of AMR.
However, these strengths are not fully reflected in policy development. Researchers expressed concerns about limited representation on iNAP committees and insufficient pathways to integrate scientific evidence into decision-making.
Key recommendations
iNAP3 offers a pivotal opportunity to address AMR challenges more effectively. Based on the insights gathered, the Microbiology Society calls on policymakers to:
- Amplify the voice of Irish researchers by actively involving a diverse range of researchers in decision-making processes.
- Broaden the One Health approach by equally prioritising human, animal, and environmental health.
- Promote a whole government approach. iNAP3 should foster coordinated, cross-sectoral collaboration by engaging all relevant government departments, including education, agriculture, and environment.
- Strengthen sustained investment in AMR solutions.
- Enhance outreach efforts by including a comprehensive outreach and communication plan to unify AMR messaging, engage stakeholders, and promote education and patient advocacy.
We thank our community for their invaluable insights. We have engaged directly with key animal health policymakers and will continue to engage with them and support the development and implementation of the next national action plan, particularly in relation to strategic objectives promoting the important role of research and innovation in addressing the AMR challenge.
Read the full survey results and recommendations.
This report is part of the Microbiology Society’s Knocking Out AMR project, an ambitious, bold and extensive scheme of work aiming to promote feasible and effective solutions to AMR. For any queries, please contact [email protected]