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GAZETTE
OCTOBER 1977
PROFESSIONAL COURSE
COMMITTEES TO CONSIDER COURSE CONTENT
1. Civil Litigation:
David Molony, Declan Moylan, Paul
McLaughlin.
2. Criminal Litigation/Legal aid:
Garrett Sheehan, Dudley Potter, Brendan
Garvan.
3. Family Law:
Michael V. O'Mahony, Alan Shatter, Raymond
Downey.
4. Accountancy:
P. J. Connolly, Patrick Kevans, Edward Grace,
Gerard O'Malley.
5. Business Law I:
Frank D a l y , Mi c h a el En r i g h t, B r y an
McMahon, Hugh M. Fitzpatrick.
6. Business Law II:
Brian Gallagher, Ercus Stewart.
7. Applied Company Law, Partnership Law:
Brian O'Connor, David Tomkins.
8. Bankruptcy, Liquidation and Receiverships:
Frank Sowman, Laurence K. Shields, Andrew
Smyth, Barry O'Neill.
9. Conveyancing:
Ernest Farrell, Rory O'Donnell, Eric Brunker.
10. Applied Landlord and Tenant Law:
Patrick Clyne, John Buckley.
11. Taxation and the Drafting of Wills and
Settlements:
John Quinlan, Maurice Curran, Terence
Cooney, Robert Johnston.
12. Probate and Administration:
Adrian Bourke, Eamonn Mongey, Anne
Sweeney.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
COMMITTEE
William D. McEvoy
Chairman
Donal G. Binchy
John F. Buckley
Francis D. Daly
Michael P. Houlihan
Raymond T. Monahan
Peter Murphy
Michael V. O'Mahony
William A. Osborne
Mrs. Moya Quinlan
Andrew F. Smyth
11.1
The year 1977 might be referred to as the year of the Prices Commission Report, as it has tried to
lay down before the Public in general the basis for the payment of the services rendered by the Solicitors
Profession. It was necessary that all material be available for the purpose of answering the numerous views
expressed when this Report was published. The media was the main source of criticism, constructive and
otherwise; such criticism was met by the views expressed by members, who by their understanding of the
functions, and the services provided and the cost for such provision, dealt with the report from the Public
Relations point of view. The Consultant's Report and recommendations in general were fair and reasonable, but
it is true to say that the approach of the National Prices Commission did not at all give the Profession a fair
and reasonable image.
11.2
The newspapers, television and radio, with a few exceptions, during the year gave a better and fairer
acknowledgment of the place in the community of the Profession. The areas of controversy and criticism were
very ably dealt with by the members of a panel from the Profession who, from time to time, gave their
voluntary help and assistance in dealing with difficult areas such as appearances on T.V., interviews on radio
and in the press. Most of the credit for this service is due to the new idea of training such a panel, to be
available to put our views before the media. The thanks of the Society is due to Maxwell Sweeney, the
Society's Publicity Consultant and those who gave their time, as I have said, voluntarily and then made
themselves available to express the views of the Profession to the Public in the media arena.
11.3
Communication with the Members is a continuing problem. The News Letter has undoubtedly helped
in many ways to improve communications within the Society. In the coming year, the Committee proposes an
examination to ascertain how best to communicate with the widely dispersed membership.
11.4
The Young Solicitors Society have, as in the past, contributed in many ways to good public relations
by their energy and assistance, by expression of views, and by keeping us au fait with new legislation and with
the need for more new legislation created by a changing Society.
11.5
The necessity of good relations with the public was never more necessary. This can be performed to
the optimum effect by the individual members of the profession, remembering at all times that as an individual he
or she carries the responsibility of the good relationship of its members. The Solicitor, both in regard to the
manner he serves his profession, and his client, by maintaining the highest professional standards, which should
be indicative of a Solicitor, can achieve, ruore-than any other single factor in this field.
11.6
Leaflets giving information on our services to the community were made available to members, and
to other sources, for distribution, and the Committee feel that these will be part of the programme to give the
public a more enlightened view of what the profession can really provide. Members who require additional
copies of leaflets can have same on application. The publication and launching of Mr. Alan Shatter's book on
Family Law
was a success as a publication both assisting the Profession and the Public to understand this most
controversial area. The publicity it received on its launching from a public relations aspect did an amount of
good in having the Public realise that the Profession is always anxious to meet the demands of change in our
Society. During the year discussions have taken placc with the President of the Ecclesiastical Matrimonial
Court, Right Reverend Monsignor Sheehy, in an effort to have more helpful communication in all areas between
the Civil and Ecclesiastical Court in regard to Matrimonial matters. This dialogue is to be advanced further
during the coming year.
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William D. McEvoy,
Chairman