29th April 2008, 02:39 PM
It is important to have a realistic idea about what the limits are on the remit and powers of a professional association like the IFA.
I am very heartened to see that most of the responses on this thread are about professional matters. One of the biggest problems that I see in perceptions of the IFA is that many people seem to want it to perform the functions of a union, as well as those of a professional association, and the two are very different things.
It is also important not to expect the IFA to perform the functions of an official regulator (some sort of 'Off-Arch'). Very few professional organisations have any such powers, and only then where the powers have been delegated to them by government in special cases (e.g. the General Medical Council).
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
I am very heartened to see that most of the responses on this thread are about professional matters. One of the biggest problems that I see in perceptions of the IFA is that many people seem to want it to perform the functions of a union, as well as those of a professional association, and the two are very different things.
It is also important not to expect the IFA to perform the functions of an official regulator (some sort of 'Off-Arch'). Very few professional organisations have any such powers, and only then where the powers have been delegated to them by government in special cases (e.g. the General Medical Council).
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished