The Gazette 1993

GAZETTE

APRIL 1993

The Numbers Game (Continued from p. 136) Irish language that exists at political level in this country and he is disappointed that the Government appears to have turned down an offer from the Law Society to run Irish courses in the Law School and to maintain a panel of solicitors competent to conduct transactions in Irish in return for the removal of the compulsory requirement. "I am - or used to be - a good Irish speaker, but even in my part of the country, where it would be more likely to happen, I have never in nearly 20 years of practise had a client who wanted to conduct his DSBA launches draft deed of Separation At a recent seminar for its members at Blackhall Place in Dublin, the DSBA launched a precedent draft deed of separation. The precedent is the result of many months work by the Family Law Committee of the DSBA. The speakers at the seminar included David Bergin, Muriel Walls, Brian Gallagher, Tim O'Sullivan and Mary Griffin. The draft has been welcomed by family law practitioners in Dublin and has also been warmly welcomed by the members of the Family Law and Civil Legal Aid Committee of the Law Society, who have commended the DSBA on its timely initiative. A limited number of copies of the draft deed are available, on a first come-first served basis, at a cost of £20.00 each, from the Honorary TVeasurer of the Dublin Solicitors' Bar Association: Michael D. Murphy, 34 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4. •

business in Irish." He suggests that if the Society wanted to call the Government's bluff, "it could in quite a Machiavellian way start to use the first Irish examination as a method of controlling entry." " I have never in twenty years of practise had a client who wanted to conduct his business in Irish."

own name was entered on the Roll.

He praises the job satisfaction. "It is so much more than being a lawyer. In the country anyway, it is a much wider role of being a social adviser, helping people with their problems, in many cases being the family confidante." He is bullish, too, about the future of the profession. "This profession is bigger and better than to lie down under any threat, whether it be banks and building societies doing conveyancing, or whatever."

Pat O'Connor likes being a solicitor, his grandfather was admitted in 1900, his father in 1937, and in 1974, exactly 37 years later, his

Barbara Cahalane

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Practice Note New House Grants The Department of the Environment has notified the Conveyancing Committee that, as announced in the recent budget statement, the New House Grant has been increased from £2,000 to £3,000. The Department says that the increased rate will apply to all applicants where:-

Obituary Fergus L. Fahy ob. 23 January, 1993

Just at the beginning of Spring with the days getting longer Fergus made his last journey down the road to Foxford and those who knew him said goodbye to a good colleague and a dear friend. Fergus should not have approved of any obituary that sounded panegyric so I will honour his memory by saying the simple facts. He was a fine practitioner especially in that cockpit of jurisprudence known as the Bridewell Courts. His style was dignified: a nice mixture of experience, thorough knowledge of the law and firm, but well balanced, diplomacy. He had the respect of both the bench and the dock to an extent that few of us can achieve. The private Fergus was a wonderful friend to have. He was generous with his time, wisdom and hospitality. All who shared in this private Fergus were enriched by the experience. He will not be forgotten.

• a contract to purchase is made on or after 25 February, 1993; or

• where a contract to build is made on or after 25 February, 1993; or

• in any other case where the required contract or contracts for building services to the value of at least £15,000 is/are made after 25 February, 1993 or the poured concrete and concrete blocks used in the reconstruction of the house are liable to VAT at 21%. Documentary evidence will be sought so that entitlement to the higher rate of grant can be established. The existing £2,000 grant will continue to be payable in other cases.

May he rest in peace.

Conveyancing Committee

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