A serious dispute has erupted between the primary teachers' union, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), and a new group representing school principals.
The INTO general secretary, Senator Joe O'Toole, has accused the principals' group of causing "much disquiet and uneasiness" by its criticism of INTO policy.
In its internal bulletin, Eolas, Mr O'Toole and INTO president Mr Donal O Loingsigh accuse the principals of "unleashing public criticism" of the INTO at their annual conference last month in Galway.
The group, the Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN), is currently trying to raise its profile in the education sector, but its focus on the needs of principals has angered the INTO, which represents them in negotiations about pay and conditions.
Some INTO members are worried the IPPN (which represents primary principals only) could set itself up as a trade union. At present the IPPN is strictly a professional association, although its leaders have spoken about the need for principals to benefit from the new benchmarking process.
In the bulletin, Mr O'Toole warns that after receiving funding, principals' groups in Northern Ireland and Britain became trade unions and the teachers' movement was diluted and fragmented as a result.
"There is only one recognised union for the representation of all primary teachers, including primary principals, and that is the INTO. The members of the organisation will not tolerate any groups interfering in the important and difficult work of improving the conditions of service of all teachers."
Mr Sean Cottrell, the national director of the IPPN, said yesterday he welcomed INTO statements on pay and benchmarking for principals. "IPPN welcomes any clarification from the INTO regarding benchmarking for primary principals and looks forward to a meeting with Senator O'Toole on the matter in the near future".