Kenny confirmed as RTE's top earner

Pat Kenny has been confirmed as RTE's highest paid broadcaster.

The Late Late Show host earned €899,000 in 2004 according to figures released by the State broadcaster.

Kenny was paid almost double that paid to Gerry Ryan, the next highest earner in RTE's Top 10.

Gerry Ryan was paid €487,492, while Marian Finucane was number three on €439,265.

Joe Duffy was ranked fourth on €279,149 and Miriam O'Callaghan was fifth on €251,251.

Ryan Tubridy was in sixth place on €216,150 followed by Derek Mooney on €189,906, John Kelly on €188,630, Sean O Rourke on €177,463 and George Hamilton on €168,322.

Only Derek Mooney and Sean O Rourke are listed as RTE employees while the other personalities are retained on a contract basis.

Three broadcasters who had been included in the Top 10 earners for 2003 have failed to make the list for 2004.

Brian Farrell, the former Prime Time presenter, Charlie Bird, the station's chief news correspondent, and presenter Vincent Browne have lost out to Ryan Tubridy, Sean O Rourke and George Hamilton.