The Gazette 1980

JULY-AUGUST

1

GAZETTE

Half-yearly General Meeting of the Society held at the headquarters of the Society, Blackhall Place, Dublin 7, on Friday, 2nd May, 1980

Messrs. P. D.M. Prentice, J. R. C. Green and P. C. Moore. The amendment was passed unanimously. Mr. John F. Buckley then proposed and Mrs. Moya Quinlan seconded an amendment of Bye Law 33 as follows:— That Bye Law 33 be amended by the insertion of the words "and standing committee meetings" after the words "council meetings" in the said Bye Law and that Schedule 'C' to the Bye Laws be amended by the addition of the following columns Maximum number of attendances at standing committee meetings during past year. (When this column is blank the candidate is not a member of out-going council). Actual Number of attendances at Standing Committee Meetings during past year. (When this column is blank the candidate is not a member of out-going council). Mr. Buckley in proposing the motion said that its object was to give a credit to those members of the Society who are actually doing the most work. The Council meetings were generally held in an afternoon and because of improvement in procedures and methods now rarely occupied more than one and a half to two hours. The actual day to day working of the Society was carried out by Standing Committees meeting frequently during the year and it was right that Council members attending those meetings should get credit for their attendance. The Council Meetings owed their great efficiency to the work of the Standing Committees. Mrs. Moya Quinlan supported the motion. Mr. Laurence K. Shields said Standing Committee meetings took place on days other than many Council Meetings and to that effect most of the work of sub-committees was carried out by a few members who got no recognition for their work. Most of the work fell on the shoulders of some members only. Mr. Frank D. Daly, opposed the motion. He agreed that the Dublin members carry a greater burden but that was due in the main to their availability. If members from Cork, Donegal, and Kerry, for example were to attend, they would have to give up a complete day and while they were quite willing to do their share they were at an obvious disadvantage. He feared that if the motion were carried in its present form it would result in the polarisation of the profession as between Dublin members and Country members. Mr. David Pigot said that he basically agreed with the motion but he thought Mr. Daly's point was valid. The practicality of the matter was that the Standing Committee meetings could not be confined to Council days. There were also to be considered other committees which did not function as Standing Committees, for example, those dealing with accountancy regulations, conveyancing matters and so forth. Mr. Brendan Allen, also opposed the motion.

The meeting was called to order by the President Mr. Walter Beatty, at 10 a.m. precisely. The list of members present is recorded in the Attendance Book. The Director General, Mr. James J. Ivers, was also in attendance. WELCOME Mrs. Moya Quinlan, Senior Vice-President of the Society and President of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association, warmly welcomed the delegates in Irish and in English. NOTICE OF MEETING The notice convening the Meeting, having been circulated, was taken as read. MINUTES The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Blackhall Place, Dublin, on the 25th November 1979, having also been duly circulated were likewise taken as read at the suggestion of the President, Mr. Walter Beatty. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS The President of the Society, Mr. Walter Beatty, then delivered his presidential address, which is reported at page 73 of this issue of the Gazette. SUPERANNUATION SCHEME — PROGRESS REPORT The Progress Report was read by Mr. Maurice Curran, Chairman Finance Committee. The details are at page 74 in the Gazette. AMENDMENTS TO THE SOCIETY'S BYE LAWS In the absence of Mr. A. Smyth, on his nomination, Mr. John F. Buckley proposed and Mrs. Moya Quinlan seconded a motion that Bye Law 28 be amended to read as follows:— "The President and Vice-Presidents, with such other number not to be less than seven, of members of the Society (but not of the Council), as may be determined by the Council from time to time to be nominated by the Chairman of the previous Meeting, together with the Director General, shall be Scrutineers of the Ballot (three forming a quorum), and have charge of the Ballot boxes, which, after the close of the Poll are to be sealed by the Scrutineers of the Ballot, and remain sealed until the scrutiny shall commence." Introducing the motion The President indicated that the Council had nominated the following Scrutineers:—

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