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vided and continues to provide what is tantamount
to a voluntary social service for the poorer section
of the community. With the increasing complexity
of the law, the necessity for more expertese, speed
and efficiency, and
the mounting expenses of
running an office, it
is not easy to continue to
provide this service. Nevertheless 1 think it would
be a sad day for Ireland and for our profession
were we to cease serving the less fortunate of our
people in this way. In this regard it is heartening
to
realise
that our students have sought our
approval for a scheme to be operated by them,
whereby advice and assistance would be pro
vided for citizens of modest means in the vicinity
of their homes. I envisage that the students would
have the assistance of qualified practitioners, who
will be asked to assist in this work. Here is a
worthy example of the maturity and vision of our
students, which might provide food for thought for
their more mature brethern and which activity, if
it can be properly organised, should further
enhance the image of our profession.
The King's Hospital
The Sub-Committee dealing with
the King's
Hospital
acquisition
have
now obtained
the
initial plans for the conversion of this most im
pressive Queen Anne building and
1
feel quite
satisfied that a long felt want will be remedied
when the great day dawns, we hope within the
next two years, when the work will be finished
and we enter into possession. Naturally no altera
tion to the frontage will be made. Almost every
facility that could be required by our profession
will be provided.
It is hoped, with permission, to have therein the
first non denominational Chapel in the country.
The premises are situate on the contemplated inner
ring road of the City and there will be no problem
of car parking. In his half yearly address my
predecessor remarked that at long last there would
be a place wherein the President could park his
car, but I am glad to be able to say that future
Presidents will also have at their disposal a resi
dential suite. The pleasant grounds adjoining the
property
can
be
used
for various
sporting
activities by our apprentices and for peaceful
contemplation by elderly gentlemen like myself.
Decimalisation
At this point I would like to refer to a matter of
great importance which will affect us all to a
greater or lesser degree—the forthcoming decimal
isation of our currency system which will com
mence in this country, as in Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, on 15th February 1971. The
Minister for Finance has set up the Irish Decimal
Currency Board to ensure that we in this country
have a smooth changeover to the new currency
system and to co-ordinate the activities of the
various interests involved.
Legislation will be an important feature of the
Board's work
this
year. The
first Decimal
Currency Bill, which was introduced in the Dail
some weeks ago, deals mostly with coinage and
will
be
circulated
shortly.A
second Decimal
Currency Bill, which will be introduced later, will
have to cover such matters as the conversion of
£sd references in statutes and contracts and legal
tender arrangements during the changeover period.
The Board
is
at present consulting various
interested
organisations
before
making
its
recommendations to the Minister for Finance. It
will be very much in our own interests to ensure
that we are fully aware of the implications of the
new system on our office routines and accounting
procedures. However, as solicitors we find that
many of our clients depend on us for more than
just legal advice. In this regard we can be of great
assistance to our clients by advising them to take
action now to prepare for decimalisation. This is
particularly urgent
if
they use cash
registers,
accounting machines, adding machines or any
cash handling equipment in the course of their
businesses. These will have to be replaced or
converted to decimal working before the business
can operate in the new currency system and if
they delay now in contacting their suppliers they
may find themselves unable to have their equip
ment ready by Decimal Day.
Stationery
requirements
will
also
require
adaptation and all staffs engaged in cash recording
or cash handling will have
to be adequately
trained to deal with the new currency. The Irish
Decimal Currency Board will give all the advice
required and has published a number of bulletins
and pamphlets which will be of assistance in pre
paring
for
the
changeover which
has
been
described as the biggest change in our everyday
habits we are likely to meet in our lifetimes.
The Society of Youni> Solicitors
This Society is probably quite well known to most
of you and it
is an organisation worthy of the
support of every member. This is a most active
and
forward
looking group whose meetings,
seminars and publications are invaluable in help-