The Gazette 1976

GAZETTE

NE/J

1 9 76

work had been £600,000 but it was hoped that the

sum of £400,000 would now be sufficient. Mrs. Qu i n l an

was happy to say that the building had received a

special plaque this year, as this was Architectural Heri-

tage Year. She mentioned that members could, visit the

buildings, and that arrangements would be made to

show them around. As Chairman of the Finance Com-

mittee,

Mr. Osborne

stated that they were lucky to have

£200,000 in cash available, and facilities for a further

overdraft of £250,000. Members might be asked for a

contribution of £ 50 each for some years, depending on

negotiations as to the future use of the Four Courts

premises which were still in progress.

Mr. Grace,

Tralee, suggested that it would be help-

ful if each member would contribute £100 loan free of

interest.

Mr. Michael Houlihan,

Ennis, said that the Com-

mittee should consider the original plan which would

provide a residential club.

Mr. Liam MacHale,

Ballina, suggested the immediate

installation of several telephones in the hall in Solicitors'

Buildings Mrs. Quinlan said this would be considered.

Th e President asked

Mr.W.

Osborne,

Chairman

of the Finance Committee, to make a statement about

the National Prices Commission Inquiry relating to the

Solicitors' Profession. T h e Costs Committee, under the

Chairmanship of

Mr. John Moloney,

had sent a full

report to Professor Lees of Nottingham, who is in

charge of the investigation, and other-'memoranda had

been sent to Professor Lees and to Professor Carlsberg

of Manchester, who were considering the matter on

behalf of the Prices Commission. The Society had

attempted to seek an interim increase and Professor

Lees, who was in Ireland last month, may be in a

position to issue an Interim Report before the end of

June. Although the response had been disappointing so

far, he strongly advised members to fill in the short

form questionnaire, which would be most helpful to

their cause.

T h e Director General,

Mr. Ivers,

said that Professor

Lees was essentially trying to assess trends, and that the

Society would not necessarily accept his approach. Pro-

fessor Lees would be starting his analysis within the

week. So far 100 returned questionnaires had been

received by him, but, in order to make a proper assess-

ment, Professor Lees would require another 100 ques-

tionnaires.

Th e President then asked Mr. Gerald Hickey, Vice-

President, to report on the Superannuation Scheme.

Mr. Hickey's speech was published on the front page

of the April Gazette. Mr. Hickey emphasised the flexi-

bility of the Scheme.

T h e President asked Mr.

David Pigot,

Cha i rman of

the Registrar's Committee, to make a statement. Mr.

Pigot emphasised that his Committee had taken all

necessary steps to get members to produce their

Accountant's Certificates to the end of 1975, and this

had entailed much time. In ma ny cases, these Certi-

ficates were 2 or 3 years in arrears.

As from 1977, the Society will make a list of solicitors

who failed to submit Accountant's Certificates for more

than six months. In such an event, a solicitor will not

be entitled to practise, and if he does so, he will be

prosecuted.

Mr. Ivers said there were difficulties for solicitors in

obtaining Indemnity policies. A Committee of the

Council was reviewing the position in the hope of

making suitable recommendations.

Mr. W. B. Allen,

Galway, proposed a vote of thanks

to the President, which was carried unanimously.

Th e Meeting then terminated.

INTERNAT IONAL ASSOCIATION OF

LAWYERS OF PAX ROMANA

T h e 8th International Conference of the Inter-

national Association of Lawyers of Pax Roma na

will be held in Dublin from Sunday, 29th August

to Friday, 3rd September, 1976. T h e main themes

of the Conference are Family Law and the means

to help those who cannot be helped by law, or

who for one reason or another are unable to help

themselves. An Irish Report, as well as Reports

from other Continental countries, have been pre-

pared on the two subjects. T h e working sessions

will be held at University College, Belfield, on

Monday, 30th August, Tuesday, 31st August and

Thursday, 2nd September. T he final resolutions

will be drafted and discussed on Friday, 3rd

September. Th e re will be an excursion to Kells

and the Boyne Valley with lunch at Kells on

Wednesday, 1st September. There will be recep-

tions by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Attorney

General and Maynooth College.

Except for the Boyne Valley excursions, the

Registration Fee for Irish participants providing

their own transport for all Dublin functions will

be Five Pounds. Irish participants who wish to

come on the Boyne Valley excursion, are re-

quested to travel from Dublin on the official

coach provided. T he additional Registration Fee

for this excursion including lunch will be Five

Pounds.

All enquiries and applications for Registration

Forms should be made

the acting Hon Secre-

tary, Mr. C. Gavan Duffy, Incorporated Law

Society of Ireland, Solicitors' Buildings, Four

Courts, Dublin 7.

SAINT LUKE'S CANCER

RESEARCH FUND

Gifts or legacies to assist this Fu nd are most

gratefully recived by the Secretary, Esther

Byrne, at "Oa k l a nd ", Highfield Road, Ra t hgar

Dublin 6. Telephone 976491.

This Fu nd does not employ canvassers or

collectors and is not associated with any

other body in f und raising.