Under its terms of reference, Comhar is required to draw up a three-year work programme within three months of the start of each term. The work programme 2006-2008 was agreed for the third Comhar period.

In its work programme, Comhar intends to -

• Add value to existing work being done by other bodies or organisations, and avoid duplicating that work;
• Assess the policy relevance of issues in order to position itself at the developmental end of policy; and
• Use its unique nature and the strength of its broad representation to come to informed and balanced perspectives and recommendations.

Many of the issues highlighted in the work programme are actively pursued through Comhar’s working groups. Ad hoc groups may be established from time to time to address particular items. Comhar’s Bureau maintains a general overview of progress on the work programme, with particular attention to aspects which fall outside the working groups.