Sir, Your report headlined "Proposal to give Irish NUJ fiscal independence" (June 24th) requires clarification.
The NUJ has almost 4,000 members in Ireland, north and south of the Border. The Irish Executive Council has not been offered and is not seeking further autonomy for the union in Ireland. Contrary to the impression given in your report, there are no moves to sever links with the union in Britain.
What is taking place is a routine evaluation of the administration of the Irish office. There is no big news story involved, just a basic examination of our housekeeping arrangements within the context of existing structures.
As for fears of a split, these have been fuelled by your misleading report, apparently based on selective leaks. These fears were allayed by General Secretary John Foster at a meeting of the IEC today (June 25th).
Had your reporter contacted the undersigned or any official or officer of the IEC before rushing to print he would have been informed of the actual situation.
Yours, etc.,
Cathaoirleach,
Irish Executive Council, NUJ, Liberty Hall,
Dublin 1.