The Irish secretary of the NUJ, Mr Seamus Dooley, and journalist Mr John Waters, are due to meet the Editor of The Irish Times, Ms Geraldine Kennedy, today to discuss her decision to dismiss the columnist.
Ms Kennedy informed Mr Waters by letter last Saturday evening that his services were no longer required because he had challenged her "journalistic ethics".
In the letter, Ms Kennedy said he had stated in an RTÉ radio interview that she was "compromised" as editor of the paper.
"Your challenge to my journalistic ethics cannot stand," it said. "You are clearly unhappy working for a newspaper where you believe that its structure, culture and Editor are 'compromised'."
The development came five days after Mr Waters publicly criticised the newspaper for withholding an article he had written about remuneration packages paid by The Irish Times Ltd to its executive directors and former editor, Mr Conor Brady.
Speaking on RTÉ radio's News at One, Mr Waters said: "You would not meet a straighter person; you will not meet a more ethical person; but Geraldine Kennedy is compromised, I believe, by the situation she has inherited, by the structures and culture of The Irish Times."
Mr Waters declined to comment yesterday. However, Mr Dooley said he had been authorised by the columnist to say "that he values his long association with The Irish Times and the opportunity it has afforded him to express views which frequently differ with what is perceived as the consensus view of the newspaper."
Speaking on behalf of the NUJ, of which Mr Waters is a member, Mr Dooley said: "We are shocked at the action of the Editor in seeking to terminate Mr Waters' contract and at the manner in which it is being executed.
"Under the terms of the contract, Mr Waters, like any other contributor, is entitled to due notice and due process. We would expect this from a company which has an excellent record with the NUJ."
He added: "As far as the NUJ is concerned we have the highest regard for the professional integrity of Geraldine Kennedy as Editor and there is no doubt about her professional independence."
Ms Kennedy said yesterday that Mr Waters was not a member of the staff of The Irish Times, but that he had an arrangement to supply a weekly column to the newspaper.
Ms Kennedy's letter, which was delivered to Mr Waters' home on Saturday evening, read in full: "I had thought I might have heard from you in connection with your several public comments and selective disclosures this week about The Irish Times and me, personally as Editor.
"You expressed the view publicly on RTÉ that I was 'compromised' as Editor of The Irish Times. Your challenge to my journalistic ethics cannot stand.
"You are clearly unhappy working for a newspaper where you believe that its structure, culture and Editor are 'compromised'.
"Accordingly, I would like to minimise your discomfort by relieving you of any further necessity to contribute to The Irish Times. I wish you well in finding a more congenial environment for your journalism.
"Yours sincerely, Geraldine Kennedy."
