The Gazette 1983

GAZETTE

MBER 1983

Soc i ety St a f f

Retirements

Two long-serving members of the Law Society's staff—

Basil Doyle and Anne Kane — retired in recent months.

Basil Doyle took up duty with the Society in 1974 and

in the following years was concerned with the problems of

complaints of alleged delays and over-charging. By his

careful handling of the ever-increasing correspondence

and patient telephone conversations with frustrated

clients, he managed to solve many problems. His

painstaking work first achieved recognition from the

media when the 'Ask the Experts' column in the

Evening

Press

began to refer inquiries to the Society. By his efforts

over almost a decade, Basil Doyle enabled the Society and

its administration to organise its relations with the media

and members of the public complaining of any

inadequacy of service.

Before joining the Society, Basil Doyle had a

distinguished career in the Office of Public Works,

culminating in his appointment as Finance Solicitor. On

his retirement, the then Attorney General, Colm Condon,

paid tribute to his work in the Public Service.

At the Law Society's Council meeting in June, Basil

attended to receive the recognition of the President and

members. He was introduced by Peter Prentice and the

formal presentation to him was made by the President of

the Society, Michael Houlihan. In making the

presentation, he paid tribute to Basil Doyle's service to

the Society at a critical period and wished him well in his

retirement. He then presented Basil with a Waterford

Glass ship's decanter, as a token of the Council's

appreciation of his services.

After the Council meeting in September the President,

on behalf of the Council members, made a presentation to

Anne Kane, to mark her retirement from the Society. He

remarked that Anne's name would always be associated

with the development of the social activities in Blackhall

Place and that she would be particularly missed by the

members, both of the Council and of the Society

generally, to whom she was always of the greatest possible

assistance.

Miss Kane joined the Society in 1971 and was involved

in a variety of activities. Initially, she was concerned with

the establishment and development of the Society's

Company Formation Service, now much appreciated by

members. At a later stage, she served as personal secretary

to the Director General. It was on the transfer of the

Society's Headquarters to Blackhall Place, coupled with

her appointment as Premises Manager, that Anne Kane

found her ultimate fulfilment. In co-operation with Peter

Prentice, Moya Quinlan and the wives of succeeding

Presidents, she played a large part in the furnishing of the

premises. Her sense of values and appreciation of quality

was invaluable. No one who visited Blackhall Place can

fail to have been impressed by the beautiful flower

arrangements which Anne prepared and maintained in all

the public areas. On the social side, Anne took a strong

personal interest in all the activities and many will

remember how she was there to receive them on their

wedding day. She will be greatly missed. •

Mrs. Joan Houlihan (left), wife of the President, presenting a bouquet to Ms. Anne Kane on the occasion of her retirement,

with Mr. Michael P. Houlihan, President of the Society (2nd left) and Mr. James J. Ivers, Director General.