The Gazette 1983

GAZETTE

S E P T E MBER 1983

Soc i ety St a f f

presentation, he paid tribute to Basil Doyle's service to the Society at a critical period and wished him well in his retirement. He then presented Basil with a Waterford Glass ship's decanter, as a token of the Council's appreciation of his services. After the Council meeting in September the President, on behalf of the Council members, made a presentation to Anne Kane, to mark her retirement from the Society. He remarked that Anne's name would always be associated with the development of the social activities in Blackhall Place and that she would be particularly missed by the members, both of the Council and of the Society generally, to whom she was always of the greatest possible assistance. Miss Kane joined the Society in 1971 and was involved in a variety of activities. Initially, she was concerned with the establishment and development of the Society's Company Formation Service, now much appreciated by members. At a later stage, she served as personal secretary to the Director General. It was on the transfer of the Society's Headquarters to Blackhall Place, coupled with her appointment as Premises Manager, that Anne Kane found her ultimate fulfilment. In co-operation with Peter Prentice, Moya Quinlan and the wives of succeeding Presidents, she played a large part in the furnishing of the premises. Her sense of values and appreciation of quality was invaluable. No one who visited Blackhall Place can fail to have been impressed by the beautiful flower arrangements which Anne prepared and maintained in all the public areas. On the social side, Anne took a strong personal interest in all the activities and many will remember how she was there to receive them on their wedding day. She will be greatly missed. •

Retirements

Two long-serving members of the Law Society's staff— Basil Doyle and Anne Kane — retired in recent months. Basil Doyle took up duty with the Society in 1974 and in the following years was concerned with the problems of complaints of alleged delays and over-charging. By his careful handling of the ever-increasing correspondence and patient telephone conversations with frustrated clients, he managed to solve many problems. His painstaking work first achieved recognition from the media when the 'Ask the Experts' column in the Evening Press began to refer inquiries to the Society. By his efforts over almost a decade, Basil Doyle enabled the Society and its administration to organise its relations with the media and members of the public complaining of any inadequacy of service. Before joining the Society, Basil Doyle had a distinguished career in the Office of Public Works, culminating in his appointment as Finance Solicitor. On his retirement, the then Attorney General, Colm Condon, paid tribute to his work in the Public Service. At the Law Society's Council meeting in June, Basil attended to receive the recognition of the President and members. He was introduced by Peter Prentice and the formal presentation to him was made by the President of the Society, Michael Houlihan. In making the

Mrs. Joan Houlihan (left), wife of the President, presenting a bouquet to Ms. Anne Kane on the occasion of her retirement, with Mr. Michael P. Houlihan, President of the Society (2nd left) and Mr. James J. Ivers, Director General.