Level of pay for RTÉ’s stars criticised

RTÉ’s so-called stars may no longer shine as brightly in the public eye, but at least the salaries they earn are still blinding.

New figures revealed by the national broadcaster have shown that between 2007 and 2008 the station’s top 10 earning presenters received more than €4.5 million in licence-fee funded salaries.

The massive sum, which comes at a time when the broadcaster is facing a shortfall of €68m this year, includes €1.87m paid to Pat Kenny, €1.3m to Gerry Ryan, and €1.04m to Marian Finucane, who have each become millionaires during the two year period.