23rd January 2006, 02:50 PM
It is true you can still practice as a consultant without a licence. However licences are not only required for those directing excavations, you would also have to hold a licence to undertake monitoring (the term used in Ireland for a watching brief). Licences are required for any form of prospection including geophysics and metal detecting.
Would agree that that planning arm of the National Monuments section is understaffed. However, on large infrastructure developments Codes of Practices are in place (roads, gas, electricity, quarries, forestry) with the Government and these developer. The codes place obligations on the on both parties with regard to archaeology, including the employment of a Project Archaeologists. Such posts are often full time and (in the case of roads) though the County Council(For roads there are currently 14 project archaeologists and 8 assistants). While this is no substitute for full government funding and resourcing of planning archaeologists (on Local or National level), the very fact that there is some form of management of archaeology of large schemes from pre-planning to post excavation can only be positive. While not perfect such codes have addressed some of the concerns of both parties and should be seen as basis for continued dialogue.
The Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland is sort of like the IFA. Can't comment as I am not a member
http://www.instituteofarchaeologistsofireland.ie/
How be eligibility be decided and who could issue or monitor (in UK sense) the system?
Would agree that that planning arm of the National Monuments section is understaffed. However, on large infrastructure developments Codes of Practices are in place (roads, gas, electricity, quarries, forestry) with the Government and these developer. The codes place obligations on the on both parties with regard to archaeology, including the employment of a Project Archaeologists. Such posts are often full time and (in the case of roads) though the County Council(For roads there are currently 14 project archaeologists and 8 assistants). While this is no substitute for full government funding and resourcing of planning archaeologists (on Local or National level), the very fact that there is some form of management of archaeology of large schemes from pre-planning to post excavation can only be positive. While not perfect such codes have addressed some of the concerns of both parties and should be seen as basis for continued dialogue.
The Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland is sort of like the IFA. Can't comment as I am not a member
http://www.instituteofarchaeologistsofireland.ie/
How be eligibility be decided and who could issue or monitor (in UK sense) the system?