The Gazette 1946-49

adopted by the Council and it was ordered that a draft memorandum to the Committees should be prepared in support of the application. Solicitors' Bill THE Council considered a report from a deputation consisting of the President, Mr. John S. O'Connor and the Secretary, who attended at Government Buildings at the request of the Minister for Justice on the subject of the Solicitors' Bill, on lyth October. The report stated that the Minister had informed the deputation that he had brought before the Government the submissions of the Council against the amendment of the Bill pro– viding for an Indemnity Fund and had persuaded the Government with some difficulty to agree to introduce the Bill as a Government measure without these provisions. The Bill would now be sent to the Parliamentary Draftsman. The Minister had stated that the Government had requested him to suggest that the Society, as a voluntary measure, should set up a fund to provide com– pensation for losses suffered by clients in cases of hardship due to solicitors' defalcations. The administration of such a fund as the Minister suggested would be in the hands of the Council and any payments made thereout would be dis– cretionary. The suggested fund would not be created under any Statutory powers but by rules to be made by the Society. He made it clear that the Council's agreement to the suggestion was not a condition precedent to the introduction of the Bill by the Government. The Minister had further stated that it is quite possible that the question of an indemnity fund will be raised by members of the Dail when the Bill is under dis– cussion and that strong pressure may be exercised on the Government to amend the Bill to provide for such a fund. If the Council accepts the Govern– ment's suggestion as to the creation of the voluntary fund the task of the Government in face of such opposition would be easier. If the Council do not adopt the suggestion of the Government they will still introduce the Bill, but the position may have to be reconsidered in the event of strong pressure by members of the Dail or Senate for the setting up of a fund. During the discussion the Minister was asked whether the Government had in mind a contribution from the State funds towards the suggested scheme. He replied that the Government had not considered this matter but did not reject the suggestion. Having considered the report of the deputation, it was resolved that the Minister be informed that the Council have no authority to agree to the suggestion as to the setting up of a voluntary fund or to alter the views already expressed on

a number of occasions on the subject and tha it is noted with satisfaction that the Government will introduce the Bill as a Government measure. NOVEMBER. i4th. The President in the chair. Also present: Mr. Roger Greene, Vice-President ; Messrs. A. Cox, P. F. O'Reilly, J. Barrett, J. P. Tyrrell, J. R. Quirke, W. S. Hayes, C. G. Stapleton, P. O'Connor, P. R. Boyd, S. 6 hUadhaigh, H. St. J. Blake, W. J. Norman. The following was among the business transacted : Solicitors' Remuneration DRAFT memorandum to the Committees in support of application for increase in Solicitors' remuneration considered. the Court of Examiners on an application by a law clerk for liberty to be bound for three years only under Section 16. Ordered the application be granted. Applications under Section 18 Two applications for exemption from the Pre– liminary Examination were considered, and on the report from the Court of Examiners it was ordered that no opposition be offered before the Chief Justice. Auctioneers' Bill, 1946 REPORT of the Secretary on the Auctioneers' Bill, 1946, considered and adopted. SOLICITORS' APPRENTICES' DEBATING SOCIETY THE Inaugural Meeting of the Solicitors' Appren– tices' Debating Society of Ireland was held on October 25th, when the Auditor, Mr. George J. Colley, delivered an address on " What of to– morrow ? " The Chair was taken by Mr. Daniel O'Connell, President of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. The speakers were : Mr. Patrick J. Little, T.D.; Mr. John A. Costello, S.C., T.D.; Mr. Micheal O Cleirigh, County Registrar; Mr. John P. McNally, B.A., N.U.I. The following medals were presented by Mr. O'Connell: Oratory, Incorporated Law Society's Gold Medal: James M. Farrelly; Society's Silver Medal: Des– mond J. Dowdall; Special Certificate : Donal B. O'Sullivan ; Legal Debate, President's Gold Medal: James M. Farrelly ; Society's Silver Medal: George J. Colley; Impromptu Speeches, Vice-Presidents' Gold Medal: John P. McNally ; Vice-Presidents' Silver Medal: Desmond J. Dowdall; Irish Debate, Society's Gold Medal: Donal B. O'Sullivan; Application under Section 16 REPORT from