Media

Ryan Tubridy and Joe Duffy top RTÉ presenter fee list

Marian Finucane’s earnings from State broadcaster almost halve between 2008 and 2014

Miriam O’Callaghan was the fifth highest paid presenter while Ryan Tubridy was in first place in 2014. Photograph: Shane O’Neill / Fennell Photography
Aine McMahon
Tue Mar 15 2016 - 18:02

RTÉ Radio One presenter Marian Finucane saw her earnings from RTÉ almost halve between 2008 and 2014.

Ms Finucane was paid €295, 000 in 2014 down €275, 000 from 2008 when she earned €570, 000.

RTÉ’s top radio and television presenters had their earnings cut by 40 per cent between 2008 and 2014.

Figures released today show RTÉ’s top ten highest earning presenters earned a combined €2,665,364 in 2014.

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In 2014, Late Late show presenter Ryan Tubridy was the highest earning contractor with earnings of €495,000 down over a third from €752, 950 in 2012 and €533,333 in 2008.

In 2008 Pat Kenny was the highest earning contractor at RTÉ, with earnings of €950,967, followed by Gerry Ryan €629,865, Marian Finucane at €570,000 and Ryan Tubridy at €533,333.

In 2013, Pat Kenny left RTÉ after 41 years to present a morning show on Newstalk radio.

Liveline presenter Joe Duffy’s had earnings of €408,889 in 2008, €300,000 in 2012 and €416,893 in 2014.

Prime Time presenter Miriam O’Callaghan had earnings of €301, 667 in 2008, €306,000 in 2012 and €280,445 in 2014.

Marian Finucane saw a large drop in fees from RTÉ, going from €570,000 in 2008 to €295,000 in 2014.

Seán O’Rourke saw his earnings increase from €218, 656 in 2008 to €290,096 in 2014.

George Lee who was appointed agriculture and environment correspondent in 2014, was a new entry to the top ten highest earners in 2014 with earnings of €179, 031.

Six One news presenter Bryan Dobson who was not listed in the 2008 top ten earners, was paid €195,816 in 2014 , sixth place in the top earners for 2014.

RTÉ said the total top 10 presenter earnings for 2014 represents less than 1 per cent of its total operating costs in 2014 and less than 2 per cent of total personnel related operating costs.

RTÉ reduced its 2014 operating costs by almost €130 million compared to 2008 levels, which represents a reduction of 29 per cent.

In a statement RTÉ said the release of the figures was based on a previous commitment made by the Director-General of RTÉ to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications to publish information on top talent earnings.

RTÉ today confirmed a 40 per cent reduction in the fees earned by the top ten paid presenters at Ireland’s national public service media organisation for 2014, as compared to 2008.

RTÉ Director-General, Noel Curran, said: "With our commitment to reducing top talent presenter fees by over 30 per cent we acknowledged that fees were too high in the past and needed to be reduced."

Mr Curran said the reductions helped RTÉ deliver a break-even financial result in each of the last two years.

TOP TEN EARNERS IN 2014

1) Ryan Tubridy €495,00 (down €38, 333 on 2008)

2) Joe Duffy €416, 893 (up €48,004 on 2008)

3) Marian Finucane €295, 000 (down €275, 00 on 2008)

4) Sean O’Rourke €290, 096 (up €71, 440 on 2008)

5) Miriam O’Callaghan €280, 445 (down €21, 222 on 2008)

6) Bryan Dobson €195, 816 (not in 2008 top ten)

7) George Lee €179, 031 (not in 2008 top ten)

8) Richard Crowley €174, 120 (not in 2008 top ten)

9) Colm Hayes €169, 992 (not in 2008 top ten)

10) Derek Mooney €168, 871 (down €117, 938 on 2008).