240 / 462
GAZETTE
JULY/AUGUST 1993
Re: Compulsory Irish Requirement
Dear Editor,
The arguments advanced in relation to
the Irish Language in the article
The
Numbers Game
in the May issue of the
Gazette
are, in my opinion,
fundamentally flawed. The selection of
the words in bold capitals "I have
never in twenty years of practice had a
client who wanted to conduct his
business in Irish" is regrettable. It not
only misrepresents the facts viewed
from a country-wide perspective, but it
also appears designed to undermine the
daily effectiveness and usage of the
language in the legal system.
Thankfully, my experience contrasts
greatly with that attributed to Mr.
O'Connor, as I find by a conservative
estimate that 50% of my clients
conduct their business through the
medium of Irish.
It is the wish of many to conduct their
dealings with all wings of the State
apparatus and with the judicial system
exclusively through Irish. It is
important that no impediments, be they
direct or through inference, are placed
in their way in their lawful pursuance
of that objective.
Furthermore, the personal nature of
many legal documents e.g. wills,
certificates of incorporation, deeds,
summonses, etc., dictate that they
should be made available in the
preferred language of the citizen, be
that in Irish as is often the case.
Whilst not in any way doubting the
sincerity of the motives of the
proponents of the alternative to the
statutory protection enshrined in the
Solicitors' Act, the latter is
nevertheless justified as an absolute
safeguard against abuses by a future
Law Society Council.
Much criticism is levelled at the
Government in the article but they are
to be commended in not shirking from
their responsibilities in insisting on the
retention of the Irish examination in
their proposed Solicitors' Bill.
The subtle "Machiavellian" threat
issued to the Government is also in
poor taste. A simpler and much more
constructive approach would be for the
Law Society to introduce a more mean-
ingful Irish examination, by tailoring
and adapting same to the current and
practical needs of the profession.
Is mise,
Antoin Delap
•
Publication date: 20 May 1993
I NSAN I TY, PSYCHI ATRY A NT)
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