The Gazette 1967/71

isation of our currency system which will com mence in this country, as in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on 15th February 1971. The Minister for Finance has set up the Irish Decimal Currency Board to ensure that we in this country have a smooth changeover to the new currency system and to co-ordinate the activities of the various interests involved. Legislation will be an important feature of the Board's work this year. The first Decimal Currency Bill, which was introduced in the Dail some weeks ago, deals mostly with coinage and will be circulated shortly.A second Decimal Currency Bill, which will be introduced later, will have to cover such matters as the conversion of £sd references in statutes and contracts and legal tender arrangements during the changeover period. The Board is at present consulting various interested organisations before making its recommendations to the Minister for Finance. It will be very much in our own interests to ensure that we are fully aware of the implications of the new system on our office routines and accounting procedures. However, as solicitors we find that many of our clients depend on us for more than just legal advice. In this regard we can be of great assistance to our clients by advising them to take action now to prepare for decimalisation. This is particularly urgent if they use cash registers, accounting machines, adding machines or any cash handling equipment in the course of their businesses. These will have to be replaced or converted to decimal working before the business can operate in the new currency system and if they delay now in contacting their suppliers they may find themselves unable to have their equip ment ready by Decimal Day. Stationery requirements will also require adaptation and all staffs engaged in cash recording or cash handling will have to be adequately trained to deal with the new currency. The Irish Decimal Currency Board will give all the advice required and has published a number of bulletins and pamphlets which will be of assistance in pre paring for the changeover which has been described as the biggest change in our everyday habits we are likely to meet in our lifetimes. The Society of Youni> Solicitors This Society is probably quite well known to most of you and it is an organisation worthy of the support of every member. This is a most active and forward looking group whose meetings, seminars and publications are invaluable in help-

vided and continues to provide what is tantamount to a voluntary social service for the poorer section of the community. With the increasing complexity of the law, the necessity for more expertese, speed and efficiency, and the mounting expenses of running an office, it is not easy to continue to provide this service. Nevertheless 1 think it would be a sad day for Ireland and for our profession were we to cease serving the less fortunate of our people in this way. In this regard it is heartening to realise that our students have sought our approval for a scheme to be operated by them, whereby advice and assistance would be pro vided for citizens of modest means in the vicinity of their homes. I envisage that the students would have the assistance of qualified practitioners, who will be asked to assist in this work. Here is a worthy example of the maturity and vision of our students, which might provide food for thought for their more mature brethern and which activity, if it can be properly organised, should further enhance the image of our profession. The King's Hospital The Sub-Committee dealing with the King's Hospital acquisition have now obtained the initial plans for the conversion of this most im pressive Queen Anne building and 1 feel quite satisfied that a long felt want will be remedied when the great day dawns, we hope within the next two years, when the work will be finished and we enter into possession. Naturally no altera tion to the frontage will be made. Almost every facility that could be required by our profession will be provided. It is hoped, with permission, to have therein the first non denominational Chapel in the country. The premises are situate on the contemplated inner ring road of the City and there will be no problem of car parking. In his half yearly address my predecessor remarked that at long last there would be a place wherein the President could park his car, but I am glad to be able to say that future Presidents will also have at their disposal a resi dential suite. The pleasant grounds adjoining the property can be used for various sporting activities by our apprentices and for peaceful contemplation by elderly gentlemen like myself. Decimalisation At this point I would like to refer to a matter of great importance which will affect us all to a greater or lesser degree—the forthcoming decimal­