Sir, - Kevin Myers seems mightily exercised about the National Union of Journalists trying to put black faces on committees ("An Irishman's Diary," January 20th). Hard up as he obviously feels, he isn't half as hard up as some of the black people working, or aspiring to work, in the media in Britain, and surely no trade unionist would deny them help.
In fact the NUJ black quota doesn't apply in Ireland, and as for being in touch, we recently established a powerful Irish Executive Council and are now investigating an even greater degree of autonomy. Mr Myers is an exemplary, fully paid up member of the NUJ, and yet he says he has no idea what the union does with his subscriptions. How come? We send him the audited annual accounts, a detailed annual report a bi monthly journal and an Irish Journalist. If he requires more information, he should attend his regular chapel and branch meetings.
Mr Myers suggests that the NUJ should take up the case against the tax system. What a fine idea. Did he participate in the PAYE marches in 1982/1983? - Yours, etc.,
Deputy General Secretary,
National Union of Journalists,
Liberty Hall,
Dublin 1.