Seven principles of public appointments

The ultimate responsibility for appointments lies with Ministers

All public appointments should be governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit, by the well-informed choice of individuals who, through their abilities, experience and qualities, match the needs of the public body in question.

No appointment will take place without first being scrutinised by an independent panel, or by a group which includes membership independent of the department filling the post.

Departments should sustain programmes to promote and deliver equal opportunities principles.

Board members of Executive Non Departmental Public Bodies (ENDPBs) and Health & Personal Social Services (HPSS) bodies must be committed to the principles and values of public service and perform their duties with integrity.

The principles of open government must be applied to the appointments process, its workings must be transparent and information must be provided about the appointments made.

The appointments procedures need to be subject to the principle of proportionality, that is, they should be appropriate for the nature of the post and the size and weight of its responsibilities.