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GAZETTE
SEPTEMBER 1979
headquarters during the past year. I would not like to conclude without referring to our
very excellent and competent gardener, Mr. Tom Barnes, who has done such a magni-
ficent piece of work in relation to the private gardens at the rear of the building.
President
2.1
As with previous years, the year under review witnessed the continuation of
much of the work initiated by the Council in earlier years. In this particular year under the
direction of the President a special emphasis was placed on the work of the Registrar's
Committee in getting Practising Certificates and Accountants' Certificates up to date.
During the year, the Standing Committees of the Council met on the evening before, or on
the morning of the day of the Council meeting. Decisions were taken by the Council on
the basis of the recommendations of the Committees and of
ad hoc
Committees. The
Council was sorry to see the retiral of John Jermyn and Tom Jackson, both of whom had
given exemplary service over the years.
2.2
Legal Costs:
Little success was achieved in this area during the year. In
September 1978 the Minister for Justice agreed that to expedite matters, the solicitor
members of the Court Rules Committees should meet with officers of the Department.
This meeting did not take place until 1st March 1979 and it was not until July 1979 that
the outcome of the discussions was known. The result was an indication that the Minister
would consent to a 75% increase in District Court costs, 25% in the Circuit Court and
nothing in the High Court. With the agreement of the Council, the District Court Rules
have been revised and are due to come into operation on 1st January 1980. A decision in
the case of the Circuit Court was deferred, pending further consideration of the matter,
including discussion at the forthcoming General Meeting. In the case of the Criminal
Legal Aid Scheme, agreement has been reached on a 15% increase in District Court
Costs.
2.3
Restrictive Practices:
As indicated in last year's report, the Restrictive Practices
Commission has given notice that it proposes holding a public inquiry into:
(i)
the nature and extent of competition in the carrying on of conveyancing for gain
with particular reference to the effects on the competition of legal requirements
restricting the provision of this service;
(ii) how the prohibition on advertising by solicitors affects competition by solicitors.
The inquiry is not now likely to take place until 1980. In the meantime, the Committee
concerned has been carrying through an intensive review of the position in both the
Common Law and E.E.C. countries so as to be fully briefed for the inquiry.
2.4
Lending Institutions:
A meeting with the Irish Banks Standing Committee took
place on 10th November 1978 on the vexed question of the manner in which funds were
being debited and credited to accounts under the arrangements adopted by the Associated
Banks for processing computerised accounts. A frank discussion took place in which the
Banks indicated that procedures were being reviewed so as to overcome, as far as
possible, the difficulties which had arisen. At the close of the year, the Council was
seeking a meeting with the Irish Building Societies Association with a view to exploring
possibilities of alleviating the difficulties in relation to bridging finance.
2.5
Education:
During the year the Council monitored closely the progress of the
Education Committee and the Education Advisory Committee in their endeavours to
have the first course under the new system organised. The Council has congratulated both
Committees on the success of their efforts to date. The reports from masters who have
apprentices under the new system have been good. The Council was pleased to approve of
four scholarships from the Society's funds for the particular course. As a spin-off from the
investment in the new programme, the one-day seminars for members on matters relevant
to everyday practice found a ready response.
2.6
Public Relations:
This year the Council adopted a more positive stance in its
public relations activities. The Annual Conference was covered in depth by all the media,
152
COUNCIL
Gerald Hickey
President
Walter Beatty
William B. Allen
Vice-Presidents