asked the Minister for Justice if he will introduce immediate legislation to relieve the Incorporated Law Society of the obligation of contributing £530 annually to the Council of Law Reporting in view of the fact that, while the Law Society undertook that liability in return for concessions granted by the Solicitors Act, 1954, subsequent legislation has imposed additional annual outlay of £500 on the Law Society which was not contemplated in 1954.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Incorporated Law Society Obligation.
137.
Mr. Ryan
The obligation to contribute to the Council of Law Reporting was undertaken by the Law Society as part of an agreement the broad effect of which was to confer substantial financial benefits on the Society. On present information I am not satisfied that there has been such a material change in the total effect of the agreement as would justify a modification of particular provisions.
Is the Minister not aware that another aspect of that agreement was that the Incorporated Law Society would be given the right to control their own profession in the interests of ensuring propriety and the maintenance of their fund; and is the Minister further aware that the position has accordingly materially changed since that provision was declared unconstitutional?
I am aware that the same suggestion has been advanced by the Incorporated Law Society to me in the course of discussions I have had with them from time to time. I should not like to say to the Deputy that I am not open to persuasion in this matter.
I shall keep on persuading the Minister. We are awaiting certain things.