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13.1 The E.E.C. Committee is the newest of the Law Society's standing Committees. It is
E.E.C. COMMITTEE
a
'
s o
probably the most difficult since the members of the Committee are to some extent learning
their job as they go along.
John B. Jermyn,
Chairman
John Buckley
Anthony E. Collins
John G. Fish
Brendan A. McGrath
13.2 At the outset it was apparent that it would be quite impossible for the Committee to
deal as a Committee with the sheer quantity of work that required to be done. At the time of
the formation of the E.E.C. Committee, the European Economic Community had already been
in existence for 15 years and in that time had produced a considerable quantity of legislation.
The Committee had to become familiar with all existing legislation at the same time as it was
trying to cope with current developments. It became the practice therefore for the Committee,
whilst retaining overall control, to delegate as much work as possible to experts in their own
particular fields.
13.3
E.E.C. Library:
It was hoped to have the Law Society's Library established as an E.E.C.
depository library. This would have meant that all E.E.C. publications would have been
provided free of charge but it did have the disadvantage that the ordinary members of the
public would have to have free access at all reasonable times. In the event the Society's applica-
tion was rejected by the Authorities and it was necessary to start investigating the possibility
of establishing an E.E.C. Central Library. For this purpose a special Library Committee was
formed consisting of representatives of the King's inns, the Department of Foreign Affairs,
the National Library, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College
Cork, University College Galway, Queen's University, in addition to the members of the
E.E.C. Committee. Several useful meetings of the Library Committee have already been held
and it is presently awaiting a report from its own Sub-Committee before progress can be made.
13.4
Directives:
The following draft Directives have been studied by the Committee during
the year:
(i) Freedom to provide servides;
(ii) Bankruptcy;
(iii) Securities over Moveables;
(iv) Suretyship and Guarantees.
Mr. Collins is presently dealing with the Directive on Bankruptcy and Messrs. Margetson a
Moloney with that on Securities over Moveables. The Committee has been glad to adopt the
submission made by Mr. Hanley of the Department of Justice in relation to the draft Directive
on Suretyship and Guarantees. In this connection, the Committee would like to express its
appreciation of the excellent spirit of helpfulness and co-operation which exists in its relation-
ship with the Department of Justice.
13.5
Liaison with other Organisations:
The Council on the recommendation of the E.E.C
Committee sought and was granted membership of the Commission Consultative des BarreauX
des Pays des Communautes Europeennes, and associate membership of the Union Internationale
du Notariat Latin. Membership of these bodies has enabled the Society to send representatives
to attend their meetings and to make and maintain contact with our professional colleagues
within the European Community. With the pace of developments in the legal aspects of the
E.E.C., such contact is becoming increasingly important and representatives of the Committee,
together with the President, have also been privileged to visit the European Court at Luxemburg
as guests of the Court.
John B. Jermyn,
Chairman
13.6
Superior Court Rules:
Whilst speaking of the Court, it is to be recorded with regret that
no regulations have been formulated by the Superior Court Rules Committee to enable an
Appeal to be brought from an Irish Court to the Court at Luxemburg under Article 177 of the
Treaty of Rome. This is not due to lack of pressure on the part of the E.E.C. Committee.
It is an embarrassing fact that Ireland is the only member country that has not yet made the
appropriate amendment to its Rules of Court.
13.7
Publicity:
In an effort to stimulate interest amongst the Society's members in E.E.C-
matters, the Committee organised a Seminar in Wexford in March last. It is proposed to hold
a further Seminar in Sligo in the autumn. The Committee also published a short series ot
articles in the
Gazette
and it is intended to revive this series in the near future. The Committee
investigated the possibility of compiling and publishing a short handbook on the E.E.C. f°r
distribution amongst the members of the Profession—however, it was soon realised that the
cost of publication would be prohibitive and could not be justified. The College of Law,
London, kindly consented to the Society using their handbook and an order was placed for a
substantial quantity of these. This handbook is now available from the Society at a cost oi
£1 per copy.
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