The artistic director of the Abbey Theatre, Mr Ben Barnes, vowed last night to defend his position at tonight's extraordinary general meeting of the National Theatre Society.
Mr Barnes, who flew back to Dublin from Australia yesterday, told The Irish Times that, knowing the robust personalities involved, he expected "a robust exchange of views".
But he stressed: "I look forward to vigorously articulating my own position."
The theatre, which is this year celebrating its centenary, announced last week that it intends to shed one-third of its staff. Its financial shortfall is expected to reach €2.51 million by the end of the year.
Asked last night whether he felt that blame for the theatre's difficulties had been fairly apportioned, Mr Barnes replied: "I think it is not constructive to talk about blame when the problems are so complex and systematic."
Mr Barnes referred to a document setting out his plans for the development of the theatre as it enters into its second century. He said he hoped the theatre and all major stakeholders would come in behind it.
He insisted his absence in Australia during the past week had been appropriate, given his role as artistic director and director of the production which he was touring to the prestigious Brisbane Festival. He had given advance notice of the dates of the Australian tour, and had indicated that if the annual general meeting and extraordinary general meeting - both of which took place last Saturday - were to clash with those dates, he could not be present.
The extraordinary general meeting was adjourned until tonight.
Mr Barnes said he decided to return home as soon as he was apprised of the situation and insisted he was not "summoned home".
A motion calling on the theatre's board to directors to dismiss Mr Barnes was put forward at the extraordinary general meeting on Saturday.
Shareholders at the meeting were severely critical of Mr Barnes's absence from Ireland last week when it was announced that the Abbey is to shed 30 of its 91 contract and permanent staff in the next 15 months.
The quality of his artistic programme for the theatre's centenary year also came under fire, with shareholders reportedly "raging" at box-office figures which show that ticket sales have been as low as 28 per cent of seat capacity.
Meanwhile, SIPTU members at the Abbey have rejected its plan to cut one-third of the jobs and are to seek negotiations with management on the future structure of the theatre.
The union is also seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, on the future funding of the theatre.
SIPTU official Mr Jimmy Jordan said staff had called for the current restructuring plan to be withdrawn and a new one negotiated "in partnership" with the workers.
They had also called on the theatre to delay making a funding application to the Arts Council until agreement had been reached on "the way forward".
The theatre's managing director, Mr Brian Jackson, said he was always open to union representations and would consider any proposals SIPTU put to him.