203 / 264
GAZETTE
Certificates of Reasonable Value and to say that he
appreciates that any undue delay in issuing certificates
could give rise to the type of problems you mention. I am,
however, to assure you that every effort is being made to
prevent any unnecessary delays in dealing with
applications and issuing decisions.
When the present system was introduced in 1973 an
undertaking was given to the Construction Industry
Federation that decisions on first applications would in
general issue within 21 days of receiving all the necessary
documents/information. Despite the substantial increase in
applications since the Government announced the new
£1,000 grant scheme in July this undertaking is being
honoured — the average time taken to issue decisions in
the month of September was 16 days. One must, of course,
differentiate between the issue of decisions and the issue of
certificates. Where unfavourable decisions are issued
further correspondence normally arises involving the
submission of more detailed information and in these cases
considerably more time may elapse between the receipt of
the application and the eventual issue of a certificate.
You will appreciate that it is also important that builders
should apply in good time for certificates.
It is noted that no specific application involving delay is
mentioned in your letter. If you wish to have any such case
investigated, please furnish particulars.
Yours sincerely,
G. A. Meagher.
COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND SAFEGUARDS
FOR PERSONS IN CUSTODY AND FOR MEMBERS
OF AN GARDA SIOCHANA
26 Upper Pembroke Street,
Dublin 2
25th October, 1977.
The Secretary,
Incorporated Law Society of Ireland,
Kings Hospital,
Blackhall Place,
Dublin 7.
Dear Sir,
As you are no doubt aware, the Minister for Justice
recently appointed the above-named Committee. The
terms of reference are "to recommend with all convenient
speed whether, and if so, what additional safeguards are
necessary or desirable for the protection against ill-
treatment of persons in Garda custody, having regard to
the allegations made in relation to persons held in such
custody pursuant to Section 30 of the Offences Against the
State Act 1939 or Section 2 of the Emergency Powers Act,
1976 and for the protection of members of the Garda
Siochana against unjustified allegations of such ill-
treatment; and for that purpose to seek such information as
would be likely to be of assistance to them in making a
recommendation as aforesaid. The proceedings of the
Committee will be private and their Report will be made to
the Government".
Your Society would seem to be one wellfitted to furnish
information likely to be of assistance to the Committee in
formulating recommendations within its terms of
reference. I am, accordingly, directed by the Committee to
seek your co-operation in achieving this end. Written
168
submissions, in reasonably brief terms, outlining the views
and recommendations of your Society should be
forwarded to me as soon as possible. In view of the
requirement to furnish the Committee's final
recommendations 'with all convenient speed' I am to ask
that such brief submissions be forwarded to reach me on or
before Friday, 18th November, 1977. It would also be of
assistance if you could indicate the person or persons who
would be available to attend before the Committee, if the
occasion arises, to enlarge upon or clarify the original'
submissions.
Yours faithfully,
G. L. Frewen, Secretary.
LEGAL AID FEES
The Minister for Justice, Mr. Gerard Collins, T.D., has
received the First Interim Report of the Review
Committee on Criminal Legal Aid. The Report contains
proposals for the settlement of the dispute about
solicitors' legal aid fees and both the Minister and the
Incorporated Law Society have accepted the report as a
settlement of the dispute. Regulations giving effect to the
recommendations, which are now being drafted, will be
effective from 28 September, 1977, the date of the
Committee's Report.
The Report recommends an adjustment of the present
fees payable to solicitors in the Circuit and higher Courts
in order to restore the relativity which they had with
counsel's legal aid fees up to 1975.
Other recommendations are as Follows:
(1) an increase from £24.50 to £27 in the first
appearance fee in the District Court;
(2) an increase from £12.60 to £14 in the fee for
prison visits;
(3) an increase from 8p to 15p a mile in the mileage
rate payable to a solicitor using his own motor
car;
(4) recoupment of disbursements reasonably
incurred.
The Committee, which is under the Chairmanship of
District Justice W. A. Tormey, is representative of the
Incorporated Law Society, the Bar Council and the
Departments of Justice, Finance and the Public Service.
Issued by the Government Information Services on
behalf of the Department of Justice.
20th October, 1977.
GUARDIANSHIP OF INFANT AND OTHER
FAMILY LAW CASES
Direction given by the President of the High Court
The attention of Solicitors is drawn to the necessity for
ensuring that either they, their Counsel or their agents
appear whenever these cases are listed in the High Court
either on theirfirst return from the Master's Court or in any
list for the fixing of dates. Even if the case has been
disposed of and does not require to be heard by the Court
or to have a date fixed for it it is necessary to inform the
Court of that fact so as to have the appropriate Order
adjourning the matter or having it struck out made.