The Gazette 1967/71

SOLICITORS' GOLFING SOCIETY Spring Meeting at Headford G.C. Kells on Saturday 8th June 1968

ment. The professions have a social role calling for a fully responsible participation in society. But the extent to which they have played their part in this connection may leave much to be desired. We must ask ourselves what contribution do we, as pro fessional people and in our professional capacity, make towards the structure and development of our society. What influence do the professions exert, and how representative are they ? Within the professions are to be found many of the skills upon which the functioning of modern society depends. The industrial structure and tech nological knowledge essential to advancement and growth lie almost exclusively in their hands. Yet one sees that, whilst they give specialist guidance and advice, they have not, notwithstanding their expertise, secured any noticeable degree of part icipation in the formulation of social policy. Specialist advice is given only within the terms of reference devised for it; it does not follow that the giver of the advice takes any part in the re solution of the problem situation in which the advice has been called for. The professions may function as technical problem-solving machines within the limits of their own techniques, but in the wider context of the social problem they sur render decision to others and become merely the tools of those who determine policy. It is, however, gratifying to note that of recent years, many professional associations have become increasingly aware of the new social dimensions which emphasise their functions as social institut ions and call for closer association with the organs of government. The Federation is now a cohesive body rep resentative of a large and identifiable sector of the community having a unique orientation. Whilst not claiming any superiority over other determin ing factors in the social economy—such as business management, commercial enterprises, investment policy and manpower distribution—professional training, which is designed to give precedence to and develop a capacity for probing analysis and objective thought, should serve as a catalyst in the more controversial fields where conflict of in terest is found to be a significant factor. It is in relation to the concepts of 'Management' and 'Labour' that one sees the professions in their most distinctive light. Although the scope of pro fessional employment has been widening steadily, 19

Results 1. President's (Mr. Patrick Noonan) Prize and Law Society Challenge Cup. Winner Andrew P. Curneen (10) Dublin 40 pts. Runner Up Padraig Gearty (9) Longford 38 pts. 2. Ryan Challenge Cup (Handicaps 13 and over) Winner Edward W. Hughes (15) Graiguena- managh 37 pts. Runner Up James P. McGeough (13) Monaghan 34 pts. 3. Best Score—1st 9—Basil Doyle (12) Dublin 19 pts. Best Score—2nd 9—Hugh J. Fitzpatrick (9) Dublin 22 pts. Best Score by Member from more than 30 miles from Kells; Aidan O'Carroll (9) Athlone 36 pts. Best Score of 3 cards by lot; Michael E. Hana- hoe(18) Dublin 30 pts. Next Outing: Captain's Prize at Baltray on Sat urday 5th October, 1968. FEDERATION OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Annual General Meeting 30th April, 1968 Mr. Brendan A. McGrath solicitor, President of the Association, addressed the meeting as follows. The function of a profession is to serve the public interest. It is no less a public service because it also provides a means of livelihood. There is a growing desire on the part of the community at large to share in and accept respon sibility for the formulation of aims, the assessment of resources and the selection of procedures which direct government policy. The profesions have from time to time been criticised in that they tend to pursue their own material sectarian interests to the exclusion of a positive contribution to the welfare of the com munity at large. They have received such adverse criticism in the N.I.E.G. Report on Full Employ ment. Whether one accepts the form in which these criticisms have been made or not, there can be little doubt that there is room for much improve­