The Gazette 1975

9.6 The consultations which the Society has had with the Authorities of Dublin University and the constituent Colleges of the National University of Ireland have continued during the past year and I would wish to take this opportunity of thanking the Authorities concerned for their considerable co-operation with the Society. The Court decided during the year that, in view of the increasing complexity of taxation legislation, it would be necessary to increase the number of lectures on this subject given to Apprentices and accordingly have made arrange- ments to this end. 9.7 My predecessor, Mr. Joseph L. Dundon, who has been the Junior Vice-President of the Society during the last year, has maintained his great interest in Legal Education and has been of very considerable assistance to the present Court.

John F. Buckley, Chairman

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

10.1 This was a difficult year because we found that many of the efforts which we were making to improve the image of the profession and the Society were eroded by the adverse criticism of Solicitors in national newspapers and on the television screen. Regrettably, in some cases it cannot be denied that the criticism was justified, and sometimes more than justified. Examples were: Clients' letters unanswered, public representatives' letters unanswered, two and three letters from the Secretariat ignored, invitations to attend and explain the delay to the Registrar's Committee ignored. All culminating in a ghastly mess two or three years later, where the public in understandable frustration appealed to the media for redress. 10.2 It is important to stress that a small percentage of Solicitors is involved, but those that are can to some extent undo the constructive efforts that we have been making in recent years. 10.3 It is very true to say that every member of the profession is involved in public relations. Those who do not communicate properly, particularly with their clients, create bad public relations. On the other hand, those who make the effort create goodwill, and, if they persist in their efforts, this goodwill will be renewed and hopefully some day the Dickensian image will be forgotten. 10.4 Leaflets were published during the year and these were distributed to the profession, voluntary bodies, local authorities, and, indeed, to anyone who wrote in and asked for them. The response to these publications was most satisfactory, and as a result of this a further leaflet was published dealing with the new capital taxes. One of the first publications dealt with the Incorporated Law Society and what it can do for the public, and was advisory and helpful to the public in relation to problems which they might have in dealing with the profession. 10.5 For some time the Committee has been planning a Communications Course for interested practitioners, and this commenced on the 21st October and continued through October into November, during which time volunteers were trained in radio discussions, television interviews and question and answer sessions with interviewers. The response to the course has been very encouraging and if the results warrant it, it will be repeated agaip in the New Year. 10.6 Seminars on the Finance Act 1974, and dealing with debt collection, were organised. An open meeting was held in the Library which dealt with planning legislation. This was well attended and was very ably addressed by Mr. Gordon Hyde, Solicitor, of London, who specialises in this field. The Secretariat, in conjunction with the Society of Young Solicitors, organised a very successful Seminar in Cork, and in Dub 1 in, which dealt, over two days, in a most comprehensive manner with Capital Taxation. The response of the profession and the large attendance at both Seminars proves that, as a profession, we are looking to the future, and that we are prepared to work to ensure it. 10.7 Direct Communication was established with the Bar Associations throughout the country, when we organised a meeting in the Council Chamber which was held towards the end of last year and which was very well attended by almost all the Secretaries and Presidents of the local Bar Associations. There was a helpful exchange of views between those present; and local Bar Associations will be involved in future in trying to create good public relations for the profession through contacts with the provincial newspapers, local representatives and local T.D.s. This meeting was, to a certain extent, exploratory, but as it proved so successful we believe that it should be repeated every year, or even more frequently. 10.8 This report would not be complete if it did not allude to the President's superb public relations exercise on the Seven Days programme, where against a totally biased media he established the integrity of all of us beyond doubt.

Walter Beatty, Chairman Bruce St. J. Blake Maurice R. Curran Gerard M. Doyle Michael P. Houlihan William D. McEvoy Brendan A. McGrath Patrick F. O'Donnell Mrs. M. Quinlan Thomas M. D. Shaw

Walter Beatty, Chairman

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