Thanks Helen,

I've tried a minimal test application similar to the one you describe.
The only difference, I was using TIB_Connection, but have now tried both
TIB_Connection and TIBODatabase with the same effect.

Opening the TIBOQuery is fast. Activating the TClientDataSet takes a
minute or more - the first time. After that it's fast, even if you
change the TIBOQuery. If you disconnect the TIB_Connection or
TIBODatabase, then you incur the minute delay the first time
TClientDataSet tries to grab the data.

I tried connecting to SAMPLE.GDB from the link you provided and it
worked fine, instantaneous.

The DB I'm working with is about 80MB with hardly any data and about 300
tables, 1200 procedures and 840 triggers.

Regards,
Tim Knipe