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GAZETTE
OCTOBER 1978
PUBLICATIONS
COMMITTEE
John F. Bocldcy
Chairman
Walter Beatty
Michael W. Cwrlgan
Garrett P. GDI
Deamood J. Moran
Donoogh O'Connor
Michael V. 0*Mahony
15.1
The Committee is concerned with the pubUcation of legal textbooks and
commentaries which otherwise would not be available to the profession. The Committee
works in collaboration with the Arthur Cox Foundation and also with the Incorporated
Council of Law Reporting for Ireland.
15.2
Late in the year, in association with the Arthur Cox Foundation and Professional
Books, the Committee was privileged to launch
Irish Conveyancing Law
by John Wylie.
The book follows the high standard set by Mr. Wylie in
Irish Land Law.
Unfortunately,
due to the impact of inflation and VAT, the new book at £30.50 for the standard edition or
£40.50 for the leather-backed edition, is expensive. Nevertheless, it appears to be
enjoying a good sale at the moment.
15.3
The Committee expects to launch
A Guide to the PlanningActs
by Mr. Kevin I.
Nowlan, Planning Department, University College, Dublin, early in November 1978.
This will be followed in the new year by a complementary book
A Commentary on
Planning Law
by Mr. E. Walsh, S.C. Other possible publications in hand are:
Corporation Tax; Labour Law; Licensing Law; Constitutional Law Casebook; An Office
Manual for the guidance of staff with no legal experience. Hopefully, some of the
publications listed will appear in print in the coming year.
15.7
During the year the Committee had discussions with the Stationery Office
regarding the non-availability of newly enacted statutes and of the bound volumes. While
the difficulties of the Stationery Office were appreciated, it was felt that every effort should
be made to ensure that the profession's equipment in this vital area was adequate. Conse-
quently, representations were made to the Minister for Finance with a view to rectifying
the position. To date a final reply has not been received.
15.5
The Society's representatives on the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting
for Ireland, Peter Prentice, John Buckley, Thomas Jackson and the Director General,
participated fully in the work of the Council over the year.
LIBRARY
REPORT
Margaret Byrne
Librarian
16.1
In early June the greater part of the Library was moved from the Four Courts
to Blackhall Place where it is situated on the law school side of the building. The magni-
tude of the task was greatly lessened by the very enthusiastic assistance of S.A.D.S.I. I
would like to extend sincere thanks to Michael Murphy, then Auditor, and to the other
members of the Debating Society, for their tremendous work.
16.2
A small collection, for reference use only, has been left in Solicitors' Buildings
in the Four Courts. This comprises the Acts of the Oireachtas, British Statutes, the Irish
Reports, the following English Reports: the Law Times Reports, the Times Law Reports,
the Weekly Notes and the Weekly Law Reports, together with a small collection of
textbooks.
16.3
While photocopying facilities are available in both places, members requiring
reports or statutes for use in court may borrow the volumes they require from the Library
in Blackhall Place for a period of twenty-four hours on the understanding that failure to
return these books will incur a heavy fine. Textbooks may, of course, be borrowed by
members in the usual way and by apprentices on payment of a deposit.
16.4
The total amount spent on the purchase of books and periodicals for the year
ending 30 April 1977 was £5,217, and on binding, £1,239. Corresponding figures for the
previous year were £4,514 and £573.53 respectively.
16.5
As you already know, Colum Gavan Duffy retired at the end of June after
twenty-seven years as Librarian to the Society. Having worked with Colum for the past
four years I am greatly indebted to his vast knowledge of law librarianship for much of
what I have learnt. I would like to express my very grateful thanks to him for all his help
and guidance to me and to wish him every happiness and success in all he undertakes in
his retirement.
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