So a lot of people are saying that my career is the issue some people are arguing against this. I understand and respect both points of view. I have two points to make. My first point is my career. Archaeology is not a hobby it’s a career that involves constant up skilling. I get paid €650 a week before tax which is the average. This is nearly double that of any other industry I work in. The fact I like my job doesn’t mean it’s not that, a job. And while there is lots of volunteer digs these don’t come close to the technical level that commercial archaeology provides. It is an important part of the construction and tourist industry as well as scientific and teaching in general. I’m 2019-20 tourism brought in €9.8 billion. No one is coming for the sun holidays. They are coming for our culture, be it history, nature, food, music ect. Our past is a big part of this draw. Historians, archaeologist, genealogist and Archivists play a huge role in the Irish economy that largely goes unseen ANC’s in appreciated (not that that doesn’t apply to almost everybody). We also deal respectively and professionally with human remains. The mother and baby homes will be excavated by archaeologist. By saying I shouldn’t of become one asks the question who should? We need this role filled and if I don’t then who does? Do we just get rid of it and forget our finite culture. Do we just look at gold things in museum and not ask questions? Our heritage is a finite resource that has and will continue to be a strong pillar in our national economy. All I ask is that my colleagues and I receive FAIR compensation for our work. Hell that everyone receive fair pay to live as an adult in one of the “wealthiest” countries in the world. Secondly I have worked in food processing, sales and education industries and have not made anywhere as near the money I make now. If these vital parts of our economy is not paid properly than therefor the problem is near universal. The market won’t fix itself, if it did then all these problems we are facing would be fixed by now. I have friends leaving so called “really well paid industries” working for some of the big 4 companies in there respective fields because they can’t afford to live in Dublin or even Ireland anymore. If these issue aren’t fundamentally fixed I really fear for our future as a nation and that not exaggeration. We loose the young, educated and ambitious what’s left. Thank you though for all you advice and feed back anyway. Even if I don’t agree with you it’s important to get another point of view. I apologise for my poor spelling and grammar.