RTÉ has finally published it’s list of their highest-paid presenters for 2022.
This comes after a new report claimed that the broadcaster delayed publishing the list last week.
This also follows the publication by RTÉ in February 2023 of earnings for its highest-paid presenters in 2020 and 2021, and the correction of the public record in relation to the information RTÉ previously provided regarding Ryan Tubridy’s earnings from RTÉ during the period 2017-2022.
The total cost of RTÉ’s highest earning presenters represents less than 1% of RTÉ’s total operating costs.
RTÉ Deputy Director-General, Adrian Lynch said: “Today we are publishing the total earnings from RTÉ by our highest-paid presenters for 2022 along with the restated earnings for 2021.”
“As previously confirmed by Kevin Bakhurst, going forward, details of RTÉ’s highest paid presenters will be published annually as part of RTÉ’s Annual Report starting with RTÉ’s 2023 Annual Report which will be published later this year.”
“While RTÉ has committed to reducing the cost of its highest paid presenters to ensure that no contractors or employees will earn more than the Director-General, our presenters play an important role in RTÉ’s provision of vital news, information and entertainment to audiences right across the country and enable us to generate commercial revenue which is essential to fund RTÉ’s public services.”
Ryan Tubridy topped the list with earnings of €515,000, matching the same reinstated figure for 2021.
During this time, Ryan was hosting The Late Late Show, as well as his weekday RTÉ Radio 1 show.
The 50-year-old announced his decision to step down as host of RTÉ’s flagship chat show last March, after 14 years at the helm.
While Ryan wished to continue hosting his Radio 1 show, he was pulled from the airwaves in June after the payments scandal came to light.
The presenter was pulled from RTÉ’s airwaves last June, after it was revealed his earnings were publicly understated by €345,000 over the last six years.
The broadcaster was set to return to his show in September, however, RTÉ’s Director General Kevin Bakhurst ceased negotiations with him in August.
In a statement at the time, the station boss said they ceased negotiations due to a breakdown in trust, after Ryan released a statement addressing a second Grant Thornton report on the payments scandal.
Ryan has since landed a new show on Virgin Radio UK, and has relocated to London.
On today’s list of top earners, Joe Duffy came in second with a salary €351,000, the same as his figure from 2021.
Meanwhile, Claire Byrne’s salary decreased to €320,833 in 2022, from €350,000 in 2021.
The presenter stopped hosting her RTÉ One show Claire Byrne Live in May 2022, but has continued to host her lunchtime show on RTÉ Radio 1.
Miriam O’Callaghan also made the list, landing at number four with earnings of €263,500.
Ray D’Arcy earned €250,000, decreasing from €305,000 in 2021.
Brendan O’Connor earned €245,004, the same as in 2021.
Bryan Dobson, who announced his retirement last week, made the list earning €209,681 in 2022 and €209,282 in 2021.
Mary Wilson earned €197,643 in 2022, and €196,961 in 2021.
Darragh Maloney earned €184,501 in 2022, and €183,738 in 2021.
Tenth on the list was George Lee, who earned €179,281 in 2022 and €179,131 in 2021.
