Kenny: I should be thanked for taking pay cut

RTÉ presenter Pat Kenny has staunchly defended his near €2 million salary over 2007 and 2008, claiming he should be lauded for reducing the public expense this year to a mere €630,000.

In his first public comment on his big salary, the former Late Late Show host rejected claims he is a hypocrite for focusing on the recession while earning a small fortune from RTÉ.

During 2007 and 2008, Mr Kenny took home €922,949 and €950,976 respectively for his work on television and radio, meaning he was easily the highest earner on Irish television.