Institution of Engineers of Ireland
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The Institution of Engineers of Ireland (Irish: Cumann na nInnealtóirí) or the IEI, is the second oldest engineering society in the British Isles established in 1835 and currently representing over 21,000 members, primarily in Ireland, the institution accepted its current legal name in 1969 by an Act of the Oireachtas. Membership of the institution is open to individuals based on academic and professional background and is separated into grades in accordance with criteria, including the Chartered Engineer and European Engineer titles.
On October 13, 2005 the institution adopted the operating name Engineers Ireland in an attempt to reduce any confusion over what the abbreviation IEI means, and as a substitute for its current legal title which is often considered unwieldy. The new operating name will have no effect to the legal name of the institution which was introduced in 1969, by law.
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[edit] History
The history of the institution can be traced to August 6, 1835 when civil engineers met in Dublin; the result was the Civil Engineers Society of Ireland, in 1844 the society adopted the name the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (ICEI). The institution received a Royal Charter on October 15th 1877, this been a significant milestone in obtaining international recognition and standing. In the early years of the Irish Free State Cumann na nInnealtóirí (The Engineers Association) was set up independently, in 1928, by incorporation under the Companies Act, 1908.
As time progressed it was realised that the institution and association might better advance engineering in Ireland by amalgamation of both into a single organisation which would represent a broader set of engineering disciplines, this was done by The Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Charter Amendment) Act, 1969 leading to the redesignation of the unified institution as The Institution of Engineers of Ireland - Cumann na nInnealtóirí. Since this act the institution has represented all branches of engineering in Ireland.
[edit] Mission
"The institution promotes the art and science of engineering...", in particular:
- "Our members serve society through the highest standards of professional engineering. We seek to improve the quality of life for all, creating prosperity and adding value through innovation and the promotion of health, and sustainable development."
[edit] International
In accordance with EU requirements it is the designated authority for the engineering profession in Ireland1. The institution is a national member of European Federation of National Engineering Associations (FEANI). The institution is also a signator to a number of multilateral agreements, these are principally for registered professional titles and accredited engineering programmes, for academic programmes these are2:
| Year | Agreement | Qualification | Practitioner |
| 1989 | The Washington Accord3 | An accredited engineering degree | Engineer |
| 2001 | The Sydney Accord | National Diploma in Engineering | Technologist |
| 2002 | The Dublin Accord | National Certificate in Engineering | Technician |
The institution is also the signator to a number of bilateral agreements with engineering societies in the United Kingdom. These are for the dual recognition of corressponding Chartered Engineer, Associate Engineer and Engineering Technician grades of the institution.
[edit] Footnote
- Note 1: Statutory Instruments SI 1 of 1991 and SI 135 of 1996.
- Note 2: This table is only a summary of the main details, the IEI website gives more information.
- Note 3: Washington Accord - official website.
