Madam, - Eamon Dunphy joined Newstalk in September 2004 as the presenter of the Breakfast Show. Two years later he sought to amend the financial terms of his agreement and to move to another part of the station's daytime schedule. When his demands could not be accommodated he left.
Throughout his time with Newstalk he was provided with significant programming support and the Breakfast Show benefited from major marketing initiatives.
The most serious aspect of Mr Dunphy's article in last Saturday's Weekend Reviewrelated to Denis O'Brien, chairman of Newstalk. Mr Dunphy wrote that he operated: "in the constant shadow of a man with strong opinions about the content of the programme" and that "his people let me know what he wasn't happy with, say, Robert Fisk, Eamonn McCann, or the various contributors to our business slot".
This is most serious because it is wrong. At no time did Eamon Dunphy ever bring to my attention - or indeed to anyone else in the station - any concerns in this regard. It is an unacceptable slur on those who have worked, and those who continue to work, in Newstalk.
A core objective at Newstalk is to be objective, balanced and fair and to avoid the slandering or libelling of individuals.
The notion that Eamon Dunphy would find himself in the constant shadow of anyone stretches the imagination, even one as fertile as his. - Yours, etc,
ELAINE GERAGHTY, Chief Executive, Newstalk, Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2.