The IGI was formed in 1999 in order to promote the geosciences in Ireland and to represent the professional interests of its members. Membership is open to all practising geoscientists who meet the required standards of qualification and experience, and the IGI operates with the support of all the major geoscience based technical societies.
Professional membership of the IGI gives geoscientists the right to use the title ‘PGeo’ which is increasingly becoming a quality standard and contractual requirement for provision of geological services. This scope of this requirement is likely to be extended with the ongoing harmonisation of Irish and EU standards and legislation.
The IGI also recognises the importance of promoting the status and use of geology and geoscience in industry and in the community in general. Among the ways this can be achieved are in the responsible development of our natural resources, in development of our infrastructure and in the extension of academic knowledge.
The main objectives of the IGI are:
- To promote the interests of the geoscience professions and advance the science and practice of the geosciences in Ireland.
- To require its members to uphold and maintain the highest professional standards in the practice of their profession.
- To increase the confidence of the community in the employment of recognised geologists by admitting to the IGI only such persons as have an adequate knowledge and experience of the geosciences.
- To promote improvements in the law and take any other steps and proceedings as may be deemed necessary in the interests of the IGI and its members.
- To improve professional standards by organising appropriate professional development programmes for its members.
- To represent members’ professional interests with government, appropriate committees, media and society as a whole.
- To develop good relations with other relevant geological bodies in Ireland and elsewhere in the world.
- To encourage and assist in the education of, and develop course accreditation for, geologists and geoscientists in Ireland.