RTÉ 'bidding against itself' on top earners' fees, chairwoman says

Wed, 28 Jun, 2023 - 22:33

Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

RTÉ is “bidding against itself” in the fees it pays its highest earners, the broadcaster’s chairwoman has said.

Siun Ní Raghallaigh had been asked by the Oireachtas Media Committee whether anybody at RTÉ should be paid more than the Taoiseach.

While the Taoiseach is currently paid just over €217,000 a year, presenter Ryan Tubridy was revealed to have been paid €515,000 in both 2022 and 2021.

The published figure before last week was an annual fee of €440,000.

I said it earlier that my opinion is that RTÉ is bidding against itself in the market and that's part of the culture as well, maybe that applied at some point in time, but that's not the way the market is working - I think we all know that

Liveline’s Joe Duffy is the second highest RTÉ earner, on €351,000, and radio presenter Claire Byrne is €280,000.

When asked about RTÉ fees and salaries being higher than that of Ireland’s premier, Ms Ní Raghallaigh said: “I said it earlier that my opinion is that RTÉ is bidding against itself in the market and that’s part of the culture as well, maybe that applied at some point in time, but that’s not the way the market is working – I think we all know that.

“And therefore the market will decide, but RTÉ has to act in relation to that and identify the influence that they have in the marketplace in that sense, and so that in itself would determine the level in the market.”

Patrick Kielty, who will take over as host of The Late Late Show from next season.

RTÉ interim director general Adrian Lynch also confirmed that RTÉ would be prepared to publish details of Patrick Kielty’s salary as the new Late Late Show host, if the Co Down-born comedian was happy with it.

Ms Ní Raghallaigh said the pay deal relating to Mr Kielty has yet to come before the board’s remuneration committee.

The deal was agreed with the chief financial officer.

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