The Gazette 1961 - 64

many of the Bar Associations throughout the country and been personal guests in the homes of many of my colleagues. I and often my wife with me, have wined, dined and danced as the guests of other professional bodies and business associations. We have been the honoured guests everywhere we have gone and it has seemed to me that on every side our Society is greatly respected. In all my dealings as President whether it be with Government Depart ments, Offices of State, or of the Courts, everyone I have met has been helpful and co-operative. I have already in another place conveyed to my colleagues on the Council what their patience, advice, and kindness has meant to me—to my Vice Presidents, Mr. George Overend and Mr. John Maher, who have been at my side throughout the year helping me in so many different ways, I am also grateful. Lastly, I would say not only on my own behalf but also on yours, how fortunate we are with our staff in the Society. Mr. Plunkett who has been very patient with my impatience must as usual carry the heaviest weight and in giving him Mr. Barry Cusack, a young man full of ability, talent and enthusiasm, we have hoped to ease his load, Mr. Gavin Duffy continues to maintain for us a most up to date library and service here, Mr. Fitzpatrick is as far as I can see, a master of all trades—at one moment trying to explain to an unfortunate appren tice why he did not pass his last examination, and the next listening patiently to some old lady com plaining that the President has not answered her letters. To Miss Dowdall, Miss Fanning, Miss Shiells and Miss Donnelly, our very sincere thanks for another year's \vork very well done. Lastly, no president can ever forget William O'Reilly who always sees that he never appears without this lovely chain of office but is equally careful to see that he never disappears with it. He has performed for me many kindly acts during the past year. To each and all of them my sincere personal thanks for the courteous and loyal co-operation and help that they have rendered to one who must have often appeared to them a.s a very fussy and exacting President. To the many members of our society outside our Council who have helped us by serving on com mittees, acting as scrutineers or who have advised us in one way or another, we extend a genuine word of thanks. With the ending of this Chapter in our history I realise, as indeed you must all clearly see, that I am not growing younger, and the time must soon come, if indeed it is not already here, for me to give my place on the Council to a younger and more energetic man. This I am ready and willing to do at any time in the certain knowledge that the friend­

ships that I have formed while a member of our Council will last as long as life itself. It is with very great pleasure I now move the adoption of our report and I will ask Mr. Overend to formally second the proposal. Mr. Overend seconded the adoption of the report. Mr. T. D. McLoughlin then moved that the meeting should go into private session. The President thanked the press representative for their attendance and they then withdrew. Mr. McLoughlin (Dublin) speaking on the report stated that he approved of the changes in the system of legal education and training recommended in the Society's memorandum to the commission on Higher Education. He thought that two lecturers in the law faculties of each university should be selected from the solicitor profession and he cited the examples of University College Galway and University College Cork. He also stated that the valuers appointed in connection with compulsory acquisitions by the Land Values Reference Committee should have legal qualifications and said that he was in favour of a committee of junior solicitors to advise the Council. The President replied and dealt with a number of the points raised. Mr. C. P. Forde (Dublin) said that he is not in favour of a compulsory university degree before admission to apprenticeship at least at present. He stated that this might exclude from the profession persons with insufficient means but would otherwise be suitable. Mr. Edmund Carroll (Fermoy) supported the view that a university degree is desirable. He thought that if a degree in non-legal subjects were taken by an apprentice he should have at least one or two years' law lectures at university level before starting apprenticeship. Mr. J. R. Quirke (Dublin) suggested that a list of the current High Court fees should be printed in the Society's calendar. Mr. T. J. O'Keeffe (Roscommon) enquired as to the statutory authority for the payment of £14 stamp duty on each indentures of apprenticeship to the Society of the King's Inns. The President replied that he thought it originated in a pfe-Union Irish statute. Mrs. Cecilia Hurley-McGrath (Dublin) asked how long practising solicitors would have to contribute an annual sum of £20 to the Compensation Fund. The President replied to a number of points raised. The motion for the adoption of the report was carried unanimously. THE PRESIDENT then opened a discussion on the advisability of introducing the accountant's certificate provisions in section 31 of the Solicitors (Amendment) Act, 1960, item 7 on the agenda and made a statement outlining the negotiations with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Justice 60