Cherrymount Crannog, Co. Fermanagh.

[BAJR]

From Matt on the Facebook group

IAI issued the following statement in their weekly newsletter.

Cherrymount Scheme Crannog
Following an on-site meeting at the crannog on Monday 30th July, Alex Attwood, Minister for Environment, has issued a statement saying that a review of the process leading to the current situation is to be undertaken (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19053339) . As the primary body representing professional archaeologists in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, IAI has requested to participate in such a review.

What is interesting and frustrating about the dynamic of this situation was that the flexibility and organic nature of the movement triggered by Roberts blog led to a very large movement demanding action. This movement encompasses people who would traditionally have been involved in IAI but also a large number of people who would not. The speed of response and involvement from official bodies was too slow, probably as they would argue because their role is to gather all the facts and comment on policy, ethics etc but frankly in cases such as this that is not enough. Witness the fact that the white heat of the debate took place here instead of on the IAI forum which for all intents and purposes has ground to a halt.

One thing that most certainly needs to be addressed in addition to the grave matter of the planning practices and management of archaeological excavation is a whistleblowers charter. While archaeologists frequently gripe about their site, the director etc. there must be a safe way for professional archaeologists to communicate their serious and genuine concerns about excavations which will not result in dismissal or disciplinary action. One of the main problems during the boom was the scattergun way in which sites were regulated, often due to resources, something which is probably even more difficult now. The concern and bravery shown by crew members at Cherrymount is probably something which many archaeologists have felt on different sites around Ireland but felt afraid to voice.

[Carrickavoy]

This is an interesting response from the IAI which traditionally has avoided commenting on issues relating to workers rights. It is this inability that has undermined its relevance for a lot of people working within the industry in Ireland. The Irish Republic is still many moons away from an organisation and forum such as the BAJR or even the Diggers Forum on the IfA - which is probably why you find so many of us here.

The need to hold employers accountable for their work conditions and practices have been highlighted by this case. Apparently more staff from the Cherrymount site have been laid off, all those staff that engaged with the facebook page. This is a terrible state of affairs. In a profession/industry increasingly dominated by temporary contracts it is very difficult to unionise. Although professional bodies by their historical nature are eliteness organisations now, more then ever, they need to implement and reinforce codes of employment conduct within their cooperate membership structure. The company in charge of Cherrymount should not be able to tenure for any more public sector contracts because of the way in which they handled the staff and the archaeology.
!

[BAJR]

This reminds me of a famous twittergate dismissal

However... THey better have done it right - with written explanation and since April 2005 employers and employees alike have been required by law to exhaust at least the basic internal procedures for resolving matters of discipline or dismissal.

FAILURE to exhaust the minimum procedures will result in penalties which can be imposed by the Industrial Tribunal, if the case gets that far, on either the employer or the employee.

The basic components regarding putting the issue in writing, hold a meeting and give a decision and provide an appeal if requested, are elaborated upon in the Agency’s Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance procedures.

I am itching to contact the company ... but know the staff are feeling battered and let down. This is not the end. I would also like to see the director explain their actions in a public investigation.

[P Prentice]

as a matter of interest, how would one set up a whistle blowing website?

[BAJR]

Carefully

:face-huh:

[moreno]

Aye, most definately, very carefully. So much so, I can't even bear to comment further.

[Unitof1]

this subject is a right mess issint it. I think that we should start by saying that this is all about northern irish archaeology which is not the same as southern irist archaeology which probably makes it a lot worser than welsh, scotyish and probably on a par with angle archaeology. I still as yet have no idea about who is involved. Thanks for this Carrickavoy

Huh, a bit of snooping suggests it is all a bit more muddy then that. Perhaps your cynicism is correct on this occasion Uo1.

but it would be nice to know which bit of mud slinging hit. Round my way councilors like to sell land to developers or have land near to developments which might have certaian inpacts on their leagcies. This case seems to have a "road service" which says that it did not know that there was an archaeological feature there even though it agreed to pay for an archaeological intervention there. The fact that some two bot minister is asking for an inquirey should only be taken to expect that it has nothing what so ever to do with archaeology. Where is the EIA for this scheme.......and hosty are you part of the say nothing conspiricy? seems that you are feeding us a lot of

I do not want to prejudice things just now.

I am itching to contact the company ... but know the staff are feeling battered and let down.

so what this about how bad northern irish archaeology is. It realy is a stinker and it probably includes the minister, has the guy got a crb check?

[BAJR]

One has to remember that there are people invovled. people who had stuck their necks out to record and protect this site and who have been badly treated. I put their wellbeing first in this debacle. so don't rush into things without a bit of care. It may come... it may not. --- but not because you want it, rather because they do.

One thing that I am after is the original EIA and the Project Design for this excavation. Should make interesting reading and should be public as well.

Minister is doing fine as far as I see,

[Unitof1]

I bet nobody is interested in the previous landowner. I bet nobody that this Event is seen as a matter of compensation for them?

[BAJR]

UPDATE Crannog site at Drumclay, Co. Fermanagh

from the IfA
http://www.archaeologists.net/news/12080...-fermanagh

Submitted by Amanda Forster on Monday 06 August 2012
Following the considerable interest in the situation at Drumclay crannog, we are pleased to be able to provide a full update from the Northern Ireland Archaeology Forum.
Extracts from the letter from Chair of Northern Ireland Archaeological Forum, Malachy Conway, are given below.
For a full copy of the letter, please follow this link.
Extracts only
“On Friday 27 July invited attendees were given a tour of the crannog excavation by the licensed director Mr Declan Hurl. During the visit we met with and spoke to the members of the excavation team and we were also joined on site by representatives from Roads Service and Amey Construction.
[…]Given the considerable archaeological potential of this site and the fact that in-situ preservation of the lower levels of the crannog is clearly not an option, full excavation of the site was strongly recommended.
[…]It was felt by the visiting group that full excavation of the site could take at least four weeks, but that any timetable for the completion of the site work must be informed through an assessment of the site by a Senior Environmental Archaeologist.
[…]It is clear from both the professional and public concerns raised in relation to the excavation of this site, that a review is needed to assess the archaeological mitigation procedures for the A32 Cherrymount link road. While this will focus on the Drumclay crannog site it should consider the current process for the conduct and regulation of such work on road schemes in Northern Ireland.”