and one more thing:

> It seems we are not importing the right
> packages (the application compiles OK, but it fails to access the
> DB).

you do not need to import any jaybird package. however you have to
include following line in your code that is executed before getting
the connection:

Class.forName("org.firebirdsql.jdbc.FBDriver");

i'm sure you know this, just wanted to mention it.

best regards,
roman rokytskyy