The National Union of Journalists is concerned about possible State regulation of newspapers, in light of the proposed reform of the libel laws.
Responding to the report of the setting up of an expert group on the issue by the Minister for Justice, the NUJ "cautiously welcomed" the move.
However, the union's Irish Secretary, Mr Seamus Dooley, said: "We are fundamentally opposed to State regulation of newspapers. We do not need a Press Council based on the failed UK model and we firmly believe that the Government must engage in a debate with all concerned on models of self-regulation, such as those in existence in European countries."
The cathaoirleach of the Irish Executive Council, Ms Mary Maher, added that the NUJ had sought a meeting with the Government to discuss the reform of the libel laws, which had been promised in the Programme for Government. Although the union received an acknowledgement, no meeting had yet been forthcoming.
"The issue of newspaper regulation is not just a legal issue," she said. "This is of fundamental importance to democracy."
