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GAZETTE
OCTOBER 1978
PUBLIC
RELATIONS
COMMITTEE
William D. McEvoy
Chairman
Donal G. Blnphy
Richard J. Branlgan
Frances D. Daly
Thomas Jackson
Peter Murphy
Patrick F. ODonnell
Michael V. O'Mahony
Moya Quintan
10.1
During the year the main matters before the Committee were the continuation
of the discussion of the issues and the problems arising from the Reports of the Prices
Commission on Solicitors' Remuneration, the Civil Legal Aid Report and the attitude that
should be adopted towards the proposed inquiry by the Restrictive Practices Commission
into Prohibition on Advertising. Pressures with regard to the improvement of the attitude
of such commisssions towards the profession is continuous. A report has been prepared
for submission to the Council for the purpose of putting before the Restrictive Practices
Commission the attitudes of solicitors to the prohibition on advertising and the pros and
cons of such restriction in so far as the profession is concerned.
10.2
It was unanimously agreed that a Directory of Services be prepared on the lines
of those in existence in England, Wales and Scotland. This would provide information to
the public with regard to their requirements of services from solicitors and where and from
whom those services and specialist expertise would be available. It was felt that this would
alleviate any obvious areas which might be lacking in the availability of the necessary
information to assist the community in their requirements of solicitors' services in their
legal and other needs.
10.3
The main area of public interest during the year was in the transmission to the
public of details of the new education system and Maurice Curran, as Chairman of the
Education Committee and the Education Committee itself, had a very difficult task and
ought to be complimented in the manner in which they dealt with the public, the press and
students. In this area they gave at all times, the proper image of the profession in so far as
transmitting to the public and students the advantages and benefits of the new system and
at all times there was full co-operation between the two committees.
10.4
Thanks to the assistance of Michael O'Mahony and the Right Rev. Msgr.
Sheehy, President of the Ecclesiastical Matrimonial Court, the publication on
Marriage
Annulments in the Catholic Church
is now ready and available.
10.5
Leaflets on the following:
Buying or Selling a House; If a Family Breaks Up\
How the Society Helps You
; and
How you can help your Solicitor were
examined, drafted
and circulated.
10.6
Thanks to the Publications Committee and particularly to John Buckley and
Michael O'Mahony, the
Gazette
has very much improved and has given a better
communication within the Society.
10.7
During the year, we had the retirement of Colm Gavan-Duffy as Librarian and
Editor of the
Gazette.
His years of service to the members of the profession and his able
assistance to the many he was in contact with rendered an area of public relations
communication that will be missed. May he have many years of further fulfilment in his
retirement.
William D. McEvoy,
Chairman
10.8
There was a reasonable approach in 1978 by the media, including radio and
television, in relation to the profession, but here again one cannot over emphasise to
individual solicitors where necessary, to avoid justifiable criticism which would reflect on
the profession as a whole in so far as service to the community is concerned. As our
President pointed out, what the solicitor provides is in reality a service which should be
run on a proper business basis. No more than any other profession, trade or employment,
there are the strong, the weak, the good and the bad, but it is true to say that many of us
could reflect more intensely on the service which we give the public. The bad criticism
which comes from such bad service in the case of some individuals, could be very much
alleviated, if we were to improve the internal structures of our offices and not to be hesitant
in endeavouring to get good personnel. This will always be got by the realistic payment of
proper salaries and by the provision of proper working facilities for such personnel both
qualified and unqualified. A solicitor's service of a high degree, if given, will be paid for by
the public and our image as a profession will undoubtedly improve.
10.9
A very informative meeting was held with Muiris Mac Conghail, Controller of
Programmes of R.T.É. Television. As a result it was felt as a policy, as far as possible,
that there should be little confrontation with radio, television and press.
10.10
A symposium has been arranged on "The Law on the Farm" to be held on
November 30. This is to be run in conjunction with the Irish Farmers Association and is
being subsidised in relation to part of the cost by the Agricultural Credit Corporation.
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