The senior rulemaker was assuredly not 'talking nonsense'! The meeting was at EASA in Cologne, attended by around 40 representatives of national aviation authorities, industry and associations. It was emphasised that, while an MS might have knowledge of FEs from other MS and would accept their tests, checks or assessments if conducted in accordance with the EDD, they would not accept revalidations 'by experience' from those of whom they had no knowledge or oversight. Some MS stated that they might perhaps be persuaded to accept 'experience', but the vast majority stated that they would not - some even went as far as stating that they would only accept tests, checks or assessments conducted by their own examiners.
The agreed conclusion was that the clause limiting non-national examiners to conducting tests, checks or assessments of competence would not be amended.
When FCL.945 appeared, again it was stated that the privileges would only extend to holders of licences, ratings or certificates issued by the same MS as that of the instructor.
The EDD is far from perfect, but it took a fair bit of persuasion to convince EASA that it was reasonable for examiners of one MS to examine applicants of another, provided that national limitations were observed.
However, there must be quite a few IAA examiners working for Ryanair in various MS who could make their colleagues aware that they are available for signing Certificates of Revalidation for IAA licence holders.