The Gazette 1964/67

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. 74

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.