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flanked by two such excellent Vice-Presidents as
Mr. P. A. O'Donnell and Mr. James R. G. Green.
If I stress the help I have received throughout
from our Secretary Eric Plunkett and his very
competent staff it is because without their help
no President could hope to weather the storms of
office or to avoid the many pitfalls into which
inexperience could lead. Thank you all most sin
cerely for the support and encouragement you
have given to me.
Accountants Certificates Provisions
As all of you are aware, a postal ballot taken
in the autumn on the question of the introduction
of an Accountant's Gertificate as a condition for
the granting or renewal of a practising certificate
resulted in an overwhelming majority in favour
of its
introduction. Pursuant
to
the mandate
received,
regulations have been
framed which
will come into force on the 10th February 1967
and take effect so far as the practising certificates
are concerned in the following year.
In this connection it would not be out of place
to refer to the Compensation Fund. New claims
during the year amounted to over £68,000—which
is more than the total revenue received from the
£40 levy. I should add that a very considerable
amount of the £68,000 arises our of three serious
cases which were pending last year and
it
is
hoped that the losses during the coming year will
show a very considerable reduction. If this should
prove to be the case I would hope that the levy
could be substantially reduced.
Attacks on Profession
During the year prompt and I trust appropriate
action was taken by the Society
to deal with
mis-statements concerning
the profession. One
by the Minister for Lands consisted of a personal
attack on a member made in and covered by
the protection of the Dail. In this case, notwith
standing correspondence from
the Society and
from me personally as President,
the Minister
has not had the graciousness to withdraw or to
amend his statements. Ths
is particularly dis
appointing as he is a member of our profession.
The motion for the adoption of the report was
seconded by Mr. G. G. Overend and carried
unanimously.
Thursday, 23rd November, 1967 was appointed
as the date of the next annual general meeting.
Messrs. E. O. Sheil proposed and Mr. Bruce
Blake
seconded
a
vote
of
thanks
to
the
President for his distinguished service to the Soc
iety during his year of office. The motion was
carried with acclamation. The President replied
and the proceedings terminated.
ADMISSION CEREMONY
On Thursday, 1st December, 1966, the Presi
dent presented Certificates of Admission at a
ceremony in the Society's Library. Addressing the
newly qualified solicitors and their friends the
President said :—
"It falls to the lot of the President on two oc
casions during his year in office to present the
certificates to
those candidates who have been
successful in the Final Examination. I have found
it to be one of my pleasantest duties and some
thing to which I have looked forward. Not so very
many years ago such little ceremonies were un
known and what is really one of the very big
occasions in the life of a student passed virtually
unnoticed. I personally am delighted this has been
changed and
that an opportunity
is given
to
students, parents and members of the Council to
meet informally and voice their congratulations.
On such occasions it has also become the practice
for the President to address briefly the successful
ones on matters which he thinks they may find
helpful in their future careers. Will you therefore
bear with me if I strike a serious note for just
a few moments remembering that I entered prac
tice before most of you were born. You are now
solicitors, members of a most honourable profession
and with a great tradition to uphold. On you
will depend the future and the reputation of that
profession. Of necessity your relationship with
your clients is strictly confidential and a great
deal of your hard work and worry will be taken
for granted and pass unnoticed. Do not let this
dishearten you. There is wonderful satisfaction
and reward in a job well done. Remember that
the interest of your client is paramount but that
this need not and should not prevent you from
being strictly fair and considerate towards your
professional colleagues. Never take a mean advan
tage and do not let over anxiety to win or to
achieve a successful result blind your better judg
ment or your sense of fair play.
If you find
yourself in a difficulty or faced with a serious
problem do not hesitate to consult some of your
older colleagues or our Secretary, remembering
that experience teaches what is not to be found in
text books and that they, as you will find, will
be only too glad to help.
Certain regulations exist regarding the keeping
of accounts and other professional matters. These
have been framed and introduced not to restrict
but to help and guide you. Do play your part
by observing them both in
the letter and the
spirit. By so doing you will find that the practice
of your profession will be a much more pleasant
and rewarding experience.
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