The Gazette 1964/67

by the Court Registrars without requiring drafts of such orders to be prepared by solicitors and sub mitted by them to the Court offices for approval and subsequent collection, engrossment and resub- mission for signature. In reply the Minister for Justice stated that the matter is one in the first instance for the Circuit Court Rules Committee. Mr. Lenihan stated that he would be prepared to consider any proposals which the Rules Committee might make in the matter. 1. The object of the Bill is to introduce a system of occupational injuries insurance similar to the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) insurance system in England and Northern Ireland in sub stitution for the present workmen's compensation scheme. This is being done by extending the existing State social insurance scheme to include provision for compensation for disablement or loss of life following occupational injury. The scheme will apply compulsorily to persons now covered by the Workmen's Compensation Acts, and persons who are compulsorily insurable under the Social Welfare Acts including non-manual workers with a remuner ation not exceeding £1,200 per annum. 2. The benefits to be provided under the scheme are as follows: Injury benefit at a weekly rate equivalent to £299 os. od. per annum for a period up to twenty- six weeks. In addition benefit at the rate of £108 os. od. per annum will be paid for an adult dependant with £33 16s. ocl. per annum for each of the first two qualified children and £20 ics .od .per annum for each subsequent child (Section 8). Disablement benefit which is not related to in capacity for work but requires only loss of physical or mental faculty (including disfigurement) i.e. impairment of the power to enjoy normal life. Disablement benefit will take the form of a pension or a gratuity depending on the degree of disable ment. Where disablement is assessed at 20% or higher a pension will be payable at a maximum rate of £299 os. od. per annum. Where disablement is assessed at less than 20% a lump sum will be paid subject to a maximum of £380 os. od. (Section 9). Constant attendance allowance will be provided for a recipient of disablement benefit where it is necessary as the result of loss of faculty. The maximum rate is £2 os. od. per week or £4 os. od. per week in extreme cases. (Section 13). Death benefit. The widow of an insured person 39 SOCIAL WELFARE (OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES) BILL, 1965

The planning authorities of the administrative areas of Dublin city and county and elsewhere instruct their law agents to represent them at appeals. If there are any authorities which do not at present use the services of their law agents they may and no doubt will do so whenever they think it desirable. If the advice given by the Department to individual appellants is followed they may be placed at a dis advantage in the presentation of their cases where the planning authority is legally represented. Solicitors and counsel are precluded by the accepted rules of professional conduct from seeking professional business by advertisement or other improper means. In the submission of the Council it is wrong that the State or any Government Depart ment should seek to influence the public to forego their legal rights of obtaining professional assistance where their private rights are vitally affected. Much as the Council regret to have to say it, this memor andum, in its effect, is propaganda against the profession. As such, it is not in the interests of the public who rely upon the profession for the protec tion of their constitutional liberty and rights. The Council are seriously concerned at the issue of this memorandum and the policy on which it is based. They have instructed me to seek an interview for their representatives with the Minister for the pur pose of explaining their views and of having it withdrawn. Yours faithfully, ERIC A. PLUNKETT, Secretary. ROAD TRAFFIC ACTS, 1933-1961 The Department of Local Government issued a further statement as to the Orders, Regulations, Bye-laws and Rules made under the above Act and enforced for the time being. The statement covers the position as of ist October, 1965, and supersedes all statements issued by the Department on the subject. The statement outlines the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, which are now in force. Particulars of the previous provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1962-1963, still in force are also included. Copies of the statement may be obtained on applica tion to the Secretary, Department of Local Govern ment, Road Traffic Section, O'Connell Bridge House, Dublin 2. CIRCUIT COURT RULES Mr. Richard Ryan, T.D., asked the Minister for Justice if he will have steps taken to bring the rules and practice of the Circuit Court relating to orders of that Court into line with those of the Superior Courts so that copies of the orders will be prepared