REGISTER OF I.A.I. MEMBERS
The Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland has compiled a
Register of Members which is now on this website. If you are a
Member in good standing and would like to be added to this
Register please contact the Company Administrator, The Institute
of Archaeologists of Ireland 63 Merrion Square Dublin 2. Or by
phone at: Ph: 01 662 9517 email: iaireland@eircom.net
Notice
of Seminar to discuss Codes of Conduct. Thursday 9
February.2006 Details here.
Announcement
of meeting in Dublin to establish a Leinster regional branch of
the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland
Establishment
of first regional IAI Branch
Questionnaire
on Training Needs in Archaeoolgy NOTE: The
deadline for responses to this questionnaire was Easter Monday, 12
April.
Announcement
of second IAI consultative session with Options Consulting
2004
European Association of Archaeologists conference
IAI
Autumn Conference 2004 Details
IAI
Forum established
Letter
from IAI Chairman, Eoin Halpin regarding the National Monuments
(Amendment) Act 2004
Announcement
of meeting in relation to Woodstown and Tara.
EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION of ARCHAEOLOGISTS:
NOTICE OF CONFERENCES
The 2004 European Association of Archaeologists conference is
being held in Lyons, France on 8th-12th
September, 2004.
The 2005 Eoropean Association of Archaeologists conference will
be held in Cork, Ireland in September 2005.
For more information visit the EAA website at:
www.e-a-a.org
26th April 2003
PRESS RELEASE
RE: DUCHAS, THE
HERITAGE SERVICE
The Institute of Archaeologists of
Ireland wishes to express concern at the recent Government
decision to abolish Dúchas, The Heritage Service. While the
decision has been greeted by surprise and alarm in some quarters,
the demise of Dúchas is yet another indication that the Government
is not committed to its stated intentions regarding the protection
of our shared National Heritage. The abolition of this centralized
heritage body is yet another retrograde step which began initially
with the demise of the former Department of Arts, Heritage,
Gaeltacht and the Islands and will have long term negative
consequences for the protection of the heritage of the
country.
The speed at which the proposals contained in the
report on the organizational functions of Dúchas were implemented
is a matter of concern. In terms of the protection of the
Archaeological Heritage, it raises serious doubts regarding the
commitment of the Government to such matters. Previous reviews of
the National Monuments Acts and Archaeological Excavation
Licensing, undertaken under the former Heritage Minister, Síle de
Valera, have never been implemented, despite assurances that the
proposals in the respective reports would be acted upon. Perhaps,
as some commentators have stated, this is indicative of what
appears to be an underlying trend by Government in pandering to
the Construction/ Development lobby with regard to archaeology in
particular and to the built heritage in general.
The
Minister of the Environment, Martin Cullen, has indicated that the
proposed arrangements would "optimize organizational resources" by
building on his Department s strengths in terms of regulation and
policy. He also refers to bringing all the heritage functions into
the environment area . The decision to redistribute some of the
functions and responsibilities for the protection of Historic
Monuments to the OPW can only be viewed as a further fragmentation
of the central and widely admired and supported system whereby all
matters relating to the implementation of policy, protection and
management of archaeology and built heritage was under the remit
of a single Government department. This fragmentation also began
with the formation of the present Government when responsibility
for the National Museum, which previously, together with Dúchas,
fell under the remit of the former Dept. of Arts, Heritage,
Gaeltacht and the Islands, was transferred to the Dept. of Arts,
Sport and Tourism. The addition of the term Heritage to the
existing Department of Environment and Local Government is a
cynical exercise, particularly with regard to the Archaeological
Heritage where, in some instances responsibility will now be
spread across three individual Government departments.
The
fragmentation of heritage responsibility is a serious reversal of
previous Government approaches and is opposite to the general
integrated approaches of our European partners with regard to the
conservation and management of the built and natural heritage. The
placing of the responsibility for Dúchas into the Department of
the Environment was inappropriate given the development agenda of
that department. What is really required is a more independent
heritage protection agency outside the influence of government,
perhaps similar to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The
expansion of the heritage roles of Local Authorities is also of
concern, particularly with regard to Archaeological Heritage.
There are many instances where Local Authorities have not
implemented the recommendations of Dúchas, whereby the
Archaeological Heritage has been endangered. Some of the more
enlightened Local Authorities have appointed archaeologists and
this has aided the protection of the Archaeological Heritage in
such areas. However, there will always remain the need for an
independent agency to deal with all heritage matters in order that
integrated and transparent protection strategies can be
implemented and managed.
The decision to redefine the
advisory functions of The Heritage Council in order that it can
play a more focused role is also a matter of concern.
While the decision for the abolition of Dúchas has been
made, no announcements have been made as to how the heritage
functions of the rebranded Environment department will be defined
and implemented. This is not only indicative of the shortcomings
of the decision but also highlights the lack of Government
interest and commitment to heritage matters.
The Institute
of Archaeologists of Ireland calls on the Government to rescind
the decision to abolish D chas and to enter into dialogue with all
interested parties in order that more coherent protection
strategies can be implemented with regard to heritage matters. In
that regard, it is the intention of the Institute to seek a
meeting with the Minister of the Environment in order that all of
the issues regarding the protection of our valuable Archaeological
Heritage can be discussed.
