The Gazette 1964/67

kind which are 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 truly

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 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 73 and liberties. Law Reform