**Yes — let's explore the "revolving door" mechanism** in detail, in the specific context of Irish politics, quangos, NGOs, media, and public funding that we've been mapping.
### What Is the Revolving Door Here?
The **revolving door** describes the movement of individuals (and sometimes their close associates) between:
- Elected politics / ministerial roles
- State boards & quangos (paid appointments)
- NGO / advocacy leadership
- Media / communications roles
- Civil service and private sector / lobbying
In Ireland, this is amplified by:
- A **small political class**
- **Hundreds of quangos** (historically 700–800 , with billions in combined budgets)
- Heavy **state funding** of NGOs (estimated €5 billion annually across the sector in some analyses)
- The **PR-STV electoral system** that rewards personal networks
It creates cycles where influence, expertise, contacts, and funding opportunities flow back and forth.
### How the Mechanism Works in Practice
**1. Politician / Associate → Quango or NGO Role**
A sitting or former TD/minister (or their sibling/spouse/child) is appointed to a state board or takes a leadership role in a state-funded NGO.
**Example from our map**: Adam Harris (brother of Simon Harris) appointed to **IHREC** while leading **AsIAm**, which receives major state grants.
**2. Post-Politics Career Move**
After leaving the Dáil or ministerial office, former politicians move into:
- Paid quango board positions
- Lobbying or consultancy
- NGO CEO / advocacy head roles
- Corporate boards or media commentary
**3. NGO / Media → Politics or Quango**
People from well-funded NGOs or media move into special advisor roles, ministerial teams, or state boards — then sometimes back again.
**4. Funding as the Glue**
Many NGOs and quangos rely heavily on government grants, contracts, or fees. This creates financial interdependence that makes the door spin faster.
### Data and Evidence
A key academic study (**Baturo & Arlow, 2017/2018**) analysed former TDs from 1989–2016:
- Almost **one-third** of ex-politicians entered the private sector (many simply returned to previous jobs like law or small business).
- **11%** moved into **consulting, lobbying, or corporate boards**.
- Around **12%** went into the **non-profit sector, quangos, academia, or media commentary**.
- Former **cabinet ministers** and those from Fianna Fáil, Progressive Democrats, and Fine Gael were more likely to enter corporate roles.
- Many others stayed in politics via the Seanad or local councils, or took governmental board appointments in retirement.
Other patterns documented in media and reports:
- Revolving door between **ministerial/special advisor roles → well-paid NGO CEO or Head of Advocacy** positions.
- State-funded NGOs (some receiving the vast majority of income from government rather than donations) acting as a destination for politically connected individuals.
- Historical criticism of state board appointments as favouring political allies or family.
### Concrete Examples
**Harris Cluster (our anchor)**
Simon Harris (senior politician) → Brother Adam Harris (AsIAm CEO IHREC Commissioner). AsIAm receives substantial state project funding. IHREC itself is a quango that litigates the state.
**Other documented patterns**:
- Former ministers appointed to diplomatic/special envoy roles or boards after leaving office (e.g., Katherine Zappone appointed UN special envoy).
- High-profile cases of former Attorneys General or senior figures moving to major banks/international roles (classic example: Peter Sutherland).
- NGO sector: Movement between political advisory positions and leadership in heavily state-funded equality, migration, or advocacy organisations.
- Media: Journalists or presenters moving into political communications or NGO advocacy roles (and occasional claims of the reverse).
### Why It Matters in the Context of Our Map
👇