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kind which are
truly
international and non-
political can do a lot to promote good relations
and a better understanding of the difficulties and
problems which beset mankind. I am very proud
to be able to inform you that our country has
been selected as the venue for the next meeting
of the Association, which will be held in Dublin
in July 1968.
The task of providing accommodation for about
1200 delegates and their wives who it is anticip
ated will be coming here on the occasion is
in
itself a formidable one. In addition, a tremendous
amount of organisational work will have to be
done to ensure that everything runs smoothly and
rebounds to the credit of your country and this
Society. Already a Committee has been set up to
work out the preliminary details and it is hoped
to call upon the energies of the younger members
of the profession and of the apprentices to assist
with the many and varied problems which we will
be faced.
I am happy to be able to tell you that we have
received nothing but the greatest encouragement
from both Bord Failte and the Government. The
former has promised help both organisational and
financial and
the
latter will provide suitable
hospitality for the delegates.
Nevertheless the success of the meeting will in
the final result depend upon the co-operation and
support of all our members and the hard work
of our Secretary and his excellent staff. I feel
sure that both of these requirements will be forth
coming in full measure.
General
As this will be the last occasion upon which I
will have the opportunity of addressing you as
your President I feel I should in a general way
tell you of some of
the matters which have
caused me considerable thought and anxiety dur
ing my year in office.
The practice of our profession entails the giving
of practical advice—often outside
the field of
strict law—on any of the problems confronting
the citizen in domestic or business affairs. The
relationship of a client and his professional adviser
is of necessity personal and strictly confidential.
It falls to his lot in times of family tragedy and
in matters such as the making of wills and ad
ministering of estates to be there to help and often
relieve a burden which a client might find it
difficult to bear alone. In business matters made
ever more involved by Finance Acts a solicitor
finds himself called upon for expert advice and
the drafting of complicated documents.
Very often we are subjected to criticism—most
of it unfair and undeserved. Constructive criticism
is and should be welcomed. The interest of the
client is paramount and it is for us to see that
the service we offer
is adequate
to
fulfil his
requirements. What does the future hold in store
for our profession ? We are in the throes of a
flood of complicated and important legislation.
More and more
it
is becoming obvious
that
specialisation, at least to some degree, will be
necessary. However, I think it would be a tragedy
if, through widespread specialisation, the old con
cept of the family solicitor was to become out
moded and lost.
In this age of control by the State the en
croachment on
the rights and
liberties of
the
individual
is a gradual but increasing. process.
Many and varied promises and inducements are
offered to lull the misgivings and quiet the fears
of the citizens that their freedom
is being re
stricted.
An independent legal profession is the greatest
bulwark against despotic use of power. Proof of
this, if proof was needed,
is
the fact that in
Communist countries one of the first targets for
destruction is the legal profession. I cannot stress
too strongly that in this country of ours, which
no one could accuse of being Communist, the
process
is at work and steadily and surely the
rights of the individual are being restricted either
under the guise of Town Planning, Workmen's
Compensation, control of
land purchase or
in
some other seemingly innocent form. Our pro
fession must be ever vigilant to seek out and to
warn our citizens of such threats to their rights
and liberties.
Law Reform
On the question of Law Reform I would appeal
to the Minister and his advisers to reform and
clarify the tax laws. These laws, which affect vir
tually every citizen, are often completely incom
prehensible even to lawyers and I feel sure often
to those who are called upon to administer them.
Do our legislators really comprehend the effect
of some of the Statutes they enact and which
are sometimes
in need of reform before
they
reach the Statute Book. Is there a danger that
Parliamentary democracy may be threatened by
dictatorship from behind the scenes by a strongly
entrenched Civil Service? I pose the question but
will not attempt the answer.
Conclusion
There are many other matters which I would
like to have touched upon but with the time at
my disposal they must remain unsaid. My year
of office is drawing to its close. It has been a
wonderful experience leading a tayal team and
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