Aims and Objectives

To assist all members, particularly the self-employed and to protect them against the growing menace and the devaluing and damaging activities of the unskilled, against bureaucratic discrimination, against penal taxation and adverse legislation. Equally, to protect the public by instilling among members a greater sense of responsibility, making members aware of the national importance of the services they render, monitoring these standards to ensure that the Guild's high standards are being maintained, and by encouraging members always to strive for excellence.

To encourage an interchange of views among members, to endeavour to unite these views and bring them to the attention of the Government and local authorities in order to safeguard the livelihood and welfare of the members and their dependants.

To bring together all skilled people engaged in a craft, art, trade, profession or vocation in order to safeguard the interests of craftsmen and the public.

To publicise these high standards through the national and local media, thus creating public awareness of the ideals and aims of the Guild and its members.

To ensure that the minimum qualifications for membership preserve the high standards of the Guild by excluding the unskilled.

To promote to the public the trading assets of the members, their honour, professional expertise and integrity, their high standards and the value for money which they offer.

To constitute a pressure group to seek the support of one or more Members of Dáil Éireann to make sure that someone speaks up for the interests of the Guild members where it matters most.

To provide clear identification and recognition for members so as to enable the public to distinguish them from the unskilled who pass themselves off as craftsmen and so increasingly to attract and direct work to members of the Guild.

To foster learning among the apprentices and students in order to perpetuate the survival and success of their particular craft.

To promote sponsorship of the Guild by persons, firms and organisations whether by financial support, by endorsement of the activities of the Guild or by patronage.

To promote research within the craft, trade, art, profession or vocation in which members are engaged, for their own benefit and that of the public.