MORE than 30 years ago I undertook research examining the system of public appointments in the north.

It highlighted serious concerns about the operation of quangos (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations), the process of appointments, and the diversity of the membership.

Whilst in theory the process was open and transparent, in reality it operated as a closed shop for the ‘great and the good’.

Controlled by an insular network of privileged political elites and dominated by middle-aged white men, interviewees depicted a system marked by cronyism, cosy relationships and patronage.

The merry-go-round of quango membership meant that a limited pool of individuals often held multiple paid positions across different boards, raising concerns about the concentration of influence among a small number of people.

Many of these individuals were depicted as a “safe pair of hands” – those who would not rock the boat by asking awkward questions.

The appointment process was opaque and lacked the accountability and scrutiny needed for this critical feature of the public sector.

Boards were dominated by those who had held senior positions within the public sector, with women, ethnic minorities, younger people and those from working-class backgrounds seriously underrepresented.

Quangos are a critical feature of the public sector, and are significantly more important in Northern Ireland than in other parts of the UK due to the limited role of local government.

They perform a range of........

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