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.

However, despite his salary for 2008 being four times higher than the current income of US President Barack Obama, Mr Kenny insisted his “voluntary” pay cut this year proved he “had not been found wanting” in the state’s financial crisis.

“My last contract reflected a particularly buoyant time for RTÉ revenues, not least those generated by the Late Late Show,” said a statement from the host.

“My recent negotiations with RTÉ on a new radio and television contract took place over a number of months late last year against the backdrop of the deteriorating and current economic difficulties.

“My negotiations reflected the new proposition and my commitment to remain at RTÉ for the long term. Those negotiations concluded last December. At that time we agreed a reduction in the contracted fee of over 25%.

“Some weeks after that contract was signed, in February of this year, I was asked to make a further contribution to cost savings given the persistent economic difficulties facing the country and RTÉ. Notwithstanding the fact that I had only recently signed a new contract, I indicated that I would not be found wanting and agreed to an additional 10% cut in the fees agreed for 2009.

“The cumulative reductions amount to more than one third of the contracted sum, reducing it to €630,000, or to 2002 levels,” he said, adding he also agreed to increase his TV working year to 46 weeks and was available for radio programmes “where previously I was on holiday”.

While Mr Kenny was the highest paid during both years, other high-profile hosts such as Gerry Ryan (€676,354 in 2007, €629,865 in 2008), Marian Finucane (€470,013 and €570,000), Joe Duffy (€377,648 and €408,889) and Ryan Tubridy (€366,867 and €533,333) have also been heavily criticised for their incomes.

Coverage of the payout on RTÉ Six One included claims by RTÉ director-general Cathal Goan that while the salaries “appeared excessive” they had represented value for money when they were agreed.