The Gazette 1981

GAZETTE

S E PT EMBER 1981

allowed to prevail as otherwise, it could happen that the Society would lose control of the Profession at the behest of public opinion. Mr. Daly said that all students entering the profession are interviewed and are clearly advised on the overcrowding of the Profession and the lack of jobs in the market place. Par. 13 — E.E.C. & International Affairs Mr. T. C. G. O'Mahony referred to the number of Directives and Regulations emanating from the E.E.C. He said that he had tremendous difficulty in keeping abreast of the situation which was very serious in that it affected every Irish Citizen. Mr. Ray Monahan said that Directives emanating from the E.E.C. were being closely monitored. He suggested that any solicitor having a specific query should raise the matter with the Society's Librarian. The Library was well equipped and any query would be researched fully. He accepted that it is not possible to oversee all legislation emanating from the E.E.C. Par. 14 — Premises Mr. Murphy queried the relationship between the Law Club and the Society. Mr. Curran said that the Law Club was a seperate entity whose accounts were being audited. They would he circulated to the members in due course. On the Four Courts, Mr. T. C. G. O'Mahony said that there was lack of facilities for solicitors in the way of a Writing Room. What had been available had been turned into a Consultation Room for letting at a charge. He expressed disappointment at the lack of parking facilities. On Blackhall Placc, he queried the number of floors which the Stardust Tribunal was occupying and asked as to the charge being made for the use of the Society's premises. The President said that the charge was a matter for the Finance Committee which dealt with it within its own discretion. Mr. T. C. G. O'Mahony felt that as a member he was being penalised through the non-availability of the facilities. He suggested that the fields at the back of the Society's premises, since they were not required might be sold off to pay for the Society's indebtedness. Mr. Gerard Doyle took the view that the question on the Stardust was not adequately answered by stating that the matter was dealt with by the Finance Committee. The Director General, said that the Writing Room in the Four Courts had been withdrawn in view of the demand by members for Consultation Rooms. It might be possible to provide a Writing Room facility in the Library area in the Four Courts and this would be looked into. However, in view of the demand for Consultation Rooms, lie was not in a position to allocate a room specially as a Writing Room. Par. 15 — Company Law Mr. Shields clarified the situation regarding opinion letters. Par. 16 — Conveyancing Mr. Crivon queried whether an Undertaking given by a solicitor can be statute barred. Mr. Shields gave it as his opinion, that an Undertaking can be statute barred as a matter of contract but that as a disciplinary matter, it is enforceable. Mr. Crivon suggested that the Profession should have a definite situation in the matter of time limits for Undertakings and the Society's attitude thereto. It was agreed to refer the matter to the Professional Purposes Committee. This concluded the discussion on the Council Report.

On the proposal of Mr. Sexton, seconded by Mr. Curran. the Report was unanimously accepted. 7. Prize Bond Draw: Mrs. Clare Conncllan supervised the draw and the following bonds were drawn: — 4 Prizes of £1,000 each 6 Prizes oi £500 each Bond 1197 Bond 1123 Bond 1579 (Thomas Mitchell) Bond 1692 (William Fallon) Bond 1106 Bond 1209 (P. McEntee) Bond 1423 (Colm Murphy) Bond 2123 (Thomas A. Morrow) Bond 1576 (Thomas Mitchell) Bond 1540 (Charles Kingston) 5 prizes of £250 each 5 prizes oi £100 each Bond 1802 Bond 1219 Bond 1515 Bond 1510 Bond 1560(Patrick O'Reilly) Bond 1769 (Michael Cusack) Bond 1367 (Donal Gallagher) Bond 1020 (John Casey) Bond I 282 (Gerald Hickey) Bond 1982 8. Council Business The Council did not put forward any business for discussion. 9. Date of Next Annual General Meeting Friday, 12th November, 1982, at 11.30 a.m. 10. Other Business Under this heading, Mr. T. C. G. O'Mahony queried criteria used by the Gazette Committee to decide whether letters should be published in the Society's Gazette. In reply, Mr. M. V. O'Mahony, for the Editorial Board, outlined the criteria which covered the size of letters, the degree of interest therein and the relevance to the Profession. As his letter was refused Mr. T. C. G. O'Mahony wished to know what rights had he as a member to get the refusal reviewed. The President said that discretion lay with the Editorial Board. To a further query from Mr. T. C. G. O'Mahony regarding the use of the playing fields, the President explained that while equal consideration was given to all charities who applied to use this facility, particular consideration was given to a neighbouring school for handicapped children. At this point, the Senior Vice-President, Mr. Allen, look the Chair and called on Mr. Gerry Doyle to propose a vote of thanks to the President, Mrs. Moya Quinlan. Mr. Doyle stated that the profession held the President in highest esteem. He paid tribute to her on her very active year of office which was now coming to an end. He commented that the President had distinguished herself not only at home but in many foreign countries. Mr. McLoughlin seconding the motion said that whereas he was resident in the same municipality as the President, she was conspicuous by her absence from the area during her year of office, an indication of how hard she worked for the Law Society. The President replied to the vote of thanks and stated that she was honoured to follow in the steps of the many great Presidents of the past and thanked the Profession for its support during her term of office. She wished her successor well. The President's comments were received with acclamation. The Senior Vice-President declared the meeting closed. •

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