91 / 122
FEBRUARY, 1912]
The Gazette of the Incorporated Law'Society of Ireland.
97
we. took the views of all the Counties, and they
were put on record here.
I have never heard
a complaint as to the procedure in the County
Court. The complaint as to procedure came
mainly from Dublin, and the speakers who
have spoken on this matter to-day are mainly
from Dublin. As a representative of Leinster
during the time I was on this Council, we had
no complaint from the country in reference
to
the procedure
in
the County Courts.
According to the resolution complaints are
made and grievances alleged to exist with
regard to the procedure in the County Courts
in Ireland.
I say that no complaint was made
except by the County Court in Dublin.
MR. R. A. MACNAMARA said :—I am
in a position to say something with reference
to Mr. Brady's Bill, inasmuch as it was fully
considered by us during my year of office as
President.
It was
approved by every
Association throughout the country. We.
had conferences with Members of Parliament,
the Chambers of Commerce, and the Bar
Council, and everyone we could think who
would be of advantage or otherwise with the,
result that the Bill was unanimously approved
of.
I do not think Mr. White is quite correct
when he says that no complaints were made
except from Dublin, because we received
complaints from all parts of Ireland as well
as from Dublin. But I think it would be a
retrograde movement to ask for a Commission,
as it might be taken that it was the opinion
of the profession that the Bill was not right
as it was brought in.
I think what we should
do is to pass the amendment asking
the
Government
to
take up
the Bill
and
introduce it as a Government measure.
MR. J. J. O'SHEE, M.P.—Mr. Shannon
has no authority as Secretary of our Associa
tion, to second the amendment. We agreed
to have a conference between the different
Associations in Ireland with the Incorporated
Law Society, as well as representatives of the
Bar of Ireland and, of course, with the
merchants who are most vitally concerned
in this matter.
I say on a point of order
that
that
amendment
has
not
been
seconded.
SIR JOHN P. LYNCH :—My intention
is that there should be a Government measure
produced which is this Bill.
I do not at all
say that the Bill, as it stands, should be
accepted without an amendment. It is quite
open to anybody, Country Practitioners or
anyone else, to come forward and suggest
amendments. My object is to have this Bill
brought in as a Government measure.
MR. HENRY SHANNON :—I thought I
made it clear at the outset that I did not
speak as Secretary.
I spoke entirely on my
own behalf.
In seconding the amendment
I may say
that
the views of country
practitioners and
their amendments will
receive full consideration.
MR. P. J. BRADY, M.P. :—I had no
intention of speaking to-day, because T did
not think I could add anything useful to that
which has been so very well said. But a
remark made by Sir John Lynch provokes me
from my silence ; and I wish to say this, we
all proceed on
the assumption
that the
Government will take up this Bill
if a
resolution goes forth to that effect from this
meeting, backed up by the Council of the
Incorporated Law Society. But that may
not be quite such a matter of certainty.
The Government would take up the Bill only
if they were assured it would be an un
opposed Bill. Night after night there were
not alone blocking motions on the paper
against my Bill, but I was also told by other
members who had not put down blocking
motions that they would oppose the Bill at
every stage.
I think that there is a possibility
of the Bill finding its way to the Statute Book
if even now another conference took place,
and if those who object to the Bill would
come and discuss the matter at a round-
table conference in a friendly manner. We
all agree there is a necessity for improvement
in County Court procedure which is archaic,
obsolete.
If we are all agreed on that,
surely it is not impossible to give statutory
expression to our views. But I think there
is not the slightest use in asking the Govern
ment to take up this measure, unless we are
in a position to assure them that all classes
in Ireland interested are in favour of it.
It
is with the honest desire to help, not alone
the profession, but also
the commercial
community of this City and of the country
generally that I make the suggestion that
even now it might be worth while to try
another conference.
Speaking as a com
paratively new member of the Council, I may
be of some assistance to my colleagues by
suggesting to them the names of persons