9th February 2005, 09:55 AM
Irish directors apply to be examined as to their fitness and ability to conduct an excavation, and they then become licence - eligible, they are then allowed to apply for licences for archaeological investigations. To get an interview, you apply with your CV, and if your CV is deemed to show enough experience, you are invited to an interview. The interview panel is made up of 3-4 people, representative of Irish academia, the Dept of the Environment, and the National Museum. YOu are asked about legislation, what-if scenarios, finds recognition, and anything else they can think of to throw at you. Two to three weeks later, you are informed of your result, and if you pass, you have then become a licenced director, who is then tracked through the licencing system. It's not perfect, but it's a damn sight better than nothing.