The Gazette 1978

JULY-AUGUST

197

GAZETTE

was proposed to charge apprentices for a six-month intensive course in Blackhall Place, was very high com- pared to fees charged in the universities. He asked whether Government grants or scholarships could be obtained, as in his view this fee was totally unrealistic for students. The President said that the Law Society course would be much more intensive than the universities. There would also be a much smaller staff-student ratio. Mr. Maurice Curran, Chairman of the Education Committee, said that tjie present cost of the average student was now £400. As regards these future courses, arrangements would be made with banks to provide suitable loans to students, and there would be practically no failure rate. The course would consist of a working apprenticeship. The President added that the Council could determine the form which the education of the solicitors in the future would take. While every decision was open to review, the Society must continue to exercise its educational pro- gramme responsibly. Mr. Shatter said that he considered it unrealistic to state that Banks would grant bank loans to students; some alternative form of loan should be devised.

Pending legislation. Having regard to our very limited resources, the task is a daunting one. Nevertheless, I am pleased to be able to record my appreciation of the work done by the Society's Parliamentary, Conveyancing and Company Law Committees in the examination of draft legislation over the past year. I know this work is con- tinuing. However, I would like to see a greater partici- pation by the general membership of the Society, though comment on draft legislation in so far as they can assess its impact on the day to day affairs of practice. Comment by the Society would not be fruitful, were it not that there is a ready acceptance on the part of those in Government and in the Civil Service of the Society's view- Point. At all times we have received a continuous hearing. While understandably it is not always possible to have one's point of view accepted, at the same time it is true that many pieces of legislation embody amendments arising from the work of the Society's Committees. I express my personal appreciation to all concerned. The President then called on the Senior Vice-President, Mr. Gerald Hickey, to report on the progress of the Superannuation Scheme. Mr. Hickey said that this Scheme had been a great success, and had produced a capital of £500,000. The present value of the unit was 6lp which represented an investment return of 20%. The Partial equity investment of the fund represented 46%. Section 22 of the proposed Finance Bill, 1978, appeared to be a stumbling block, as no one knew how it would work. The Fund represented an Income Continuance Plan inasmuch as various improvements subject to a 5% increase had been introduced, which would henceforth be covered, such as solo flying, alcoholism, and pregnancy. This was one of the best schemes in the country, which other professions envied. OTHER BUSINESS Mrs. Grace St. John Blake queried whether the name "Incorporated Law Society of Ireland", conferred by a Charter of 1877, could be changed to "The Law Society" without an amending private Act of the Oireachtas. Mr. McEvoy, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee, replied that the Committee was aware of the legal position, but that in popular parlance they wished the premises in Blackhall Place to be known as the Law Society. Mr. Gerard Doyle stated that he would object to the new name. Mr. John Griffin (Dundalk) suggested it should be called "Arus an Dli". Mr. Dominick Kearns (Portumna) referred to the Compensation Fund. The sum of £1 million appeared to include sums representing overheads of the Society, and suggested it should be replaced by a small fee. The- President replied that the cost of administration is now much heavier, as Mr. Healy and Mr. Connolly have to investigate solicitors accounts, which ultimately tends to benefit the Compensation Fund. Mr. Gerard Doyle, Chairman of the Compensation Fund Committee, concurred. Mr. Bruce St. John Blake, Chairman of the Finance Committee, expressed his appreciation of all those who had contributed to the Blackhall Place Development Fund which he was glad to state was very much on target. The building programme was making satisfactory progress, and the official opening ceremony would be Performed by the Taoiseach on 14th June. EDUCATION Mr. Alan Shatter stated that the fee of £900 which it

Commission of Inquiry on Industrial Relations

Mr. Bruce St. John Blake, Solicitor, has been appointed a member of the recently established Commission on Industrial Relations by the Minister for Labour, Mr. Gene Fitzgerald; T.D. The Commission was established by the Minister for Labour with the following terms of reference: "In view of the importance of industrial relations procedures and practices for the economic and social development of the country and for the welfare of the community, to consider and report on industrial relations generally, and in particular on (1) the practices of employers and their organisations and of workers and their trade unions under the system of free collective bargaining, (2) the relevance of statute law to industrial relations and (3) the operation of institutions, structures and procedures, and to make recommendations." It is expected that following the Commission's recom- mendation, the Minister will introduce legislation. The Commission will be chaired by Mr. Séamus Ó Conaill, former Secretary of the Department of the Public Service and comprises five members nominated by the Employer-Labour Conference,five member nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and five members nominated by the Minister. Apart from Mr. Blake the other members nominated by the Minister are Professor Basil Chubb, T.C.D., Mrs. Eunice McCarthy, Lecturer in Industrial Psychology, U.C.D., Tadhg Ó Cearrbhaill, Secretary of the Dept. of Labour, and John J. Walsh, Chairman of the National Prices Commission.

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