The Gazette 1979

GAZETTE

JULY-AUGUST

1979

precedents, and there is no reason why, assuming that we

have a proper postal service in the future, such pre-

cedents could not be with the Solicitor requiring same, the

day after he telephones the Law Society with his

requirements.

I am convinced that a precedent bank service could be

of great benefit to the Profession, particularly to those

practicing alone or in remoter parts of the country, who

might not come across certain requirements as frequently

as those in the bigger centres of population.

I would like to emphasize my belief that the Profession

has a very prosperous future, even apart from the

provision of a full scheme of Civil Legal Aid, provided

that it increases its productivity to meet increasing

demands. I have no doubt that the Profession can do this,

and that the Law Society can help in organising it.

Finally, I feel that Solicitors are going to be asked more

and more to give advice which has, at least, some

relationship to business, and that some involvement in, or

knowledge of business is highly desirable for all members

of the Profession in the future. Ideally, such a knowledge

should be obtained by some personal business involve-

ment, presumably in a non-executive capacity, but as this

will not be possible for all, it may be worth the Society's

while to consider, in addition to the other Continuing

Education Programmes which it provides, the provision

of some programmes especially designed for Solicitors in

relation to financial and business affairs.

I feel that there is a great future for our Profession, and

I sincerely hope that the Profession and the Society will

take appropriate measures to capitalize fully on the

opportunities which will be available.

The President's address was received with applause.

Retirement Annuity Fund

Mr. Walter Beatty, Senior Vice-President, reported on

the growth of the Fund since its establishment four years

ago. The value of the Fund was now about £1 million and

the initial investment of £100 was now worth £206.85.

The Fund was invested in both gilts and equities in the

Irish and U.K. markets and it was now proposed to invest

in property. Mr. Beatty asked those present to encourage

their colleagues, especially the younger members, to

participate in the Scheme. He also drew attention to the

Income Continuance Plan aspect of the Scheme, which in

the future would enjoy tax concessions. He emphasised

that the time to join was when one was in good health.

Concluding, Mr. Beatty paid tribute to his colleague on

the Fund's Steering Committee.

Matters arising out of the Annual General Meeting

The Director General referred to the resolution pro-

posed by Mr. James Heney directing that the Council

appoint a professional member of the staff to deal with

Government Departments, Local Authorities and other

agencies. The Council had referred the resolution to a

sub-Committee for action and that Committee had

decided to advertise a solicitor vacancy on the staff of the

Society. Unfortunately due to the postal strike it had been

necessary to extend the closing date to 21st May, 1979.

of the possibility of further increases in the remuneration al-

ready proposed arising out of the suggested "National

Understanding". As he saw it such increases would make

it necessary to an increasing extent for solicitors to agree

costs with clients.

Costs

Mr. W. A. Osborne furnished the meeting with a

progress report on developments since the Annual

General Meeting. He anticipated that revised regulations

would be made in the near future.

Legal Aid

Mr. G. J. Moloney proposed that the Society should

not accept the Civil Legal Aid Scheme as announced, due

to the limitation of the scheme to Law Centres. The

President gave the background to this proposal and

emphasised that die heavy cost of the Criminal Legal Aid

scheme was a factor in Government thinking in relation to

the proposed Civil Legal Aid Scheme. Mr. Michael

O'Mahony said it would be difficult to oppose the

proposal without seeing the small print. In his view,

employing solicitors in centres was the logical extension

to the FLAC Centres. He felt the Society should reserve

its position until the small print of the scheme was

available.

Gazette

Mr. Peter Finlay, Executive Editor, was introduced to

the meeting. Mr. Finlay invited members, especially those

present from outside Dublin to meet with him to discuss

the

Gazette's

programme.

Postal Strike

Mr. W. A. Osborne said that the strike was having an

increasing effect in country areas with the result that it

was becoming impossible to complete work. The public

did not appreciate the position and were blaming

solicitors for the delay. He wondered if the Society could

do anything to make the public more aware of the

position. The President said that as a result of a resolution

adopted at the last Council meeting, he had issued a state-

ment to the press which had received some publicity. Mr.

Patrick Glynn and Mr. W. B. Allen favoured an advertis-

ment in the papers. Mr. Dominick Kearns said that in

Limerick the Inspector of Taxes was declining to hand

out letters to personal callers. It was agreed to refer the

suggestions made to the Public Relations Committee.

Building Societies

Mr. Michael O'Connell asked if the Society could

make representations to the Building Societies regarding

the delay in sanctioning loans. The period had extended

from 6-8 weeks to 12 weeks. It was agreed that

representations be made to the Building Societies.

Vote of Thanks

Mr. Jermyn proposed a vote of thanks to the President

for his conduct of the meeting which was carried with

acclamation. The President having thanked the members

for their participation declared the meeting closed.

Other Business

Law Clerks Remuneration

• Mr. Gerald Doyle warned