RTÉ DIRECTOR general Cathal Goan was paid €441,000 last year, an increase of 22 per cent on his previous year’s remuneration, according to the national broadcaster’s 2007 annual report.

Mr Goan received performance-related pay of €108,000 in 2007, up from €44,000 the previous year, while his basic salary rose to €283,000 from €268,000.

His performance-related pay last year was in respect of RTÉ’s performance in 2006. His pension contributions and other benefits increased to €50,000 in 2007 from €48,000.

RTÉ recorded a surplus of €26.4 million in 2007, up 47 per cent on the previous year, buoyed by strong increases in commercial and licence fee revenues.

Television contributed €10.1 million to the broadcaster’s surplus last year, up from €2.2 million in 2006, while radio’s contribution remained static at €2.7 million.

RTÉ’s performing groups network contributed €5.5 million, up from €5.4 million in 2006.

Loss-making business divisions included news and current affairs which cost €2.6 million, down €100,000, while losses at corporate headquarter fell by €200,000 to €4.3 million. The broadcaster’s publishing division made a loss of €1 million last year.

Revenues increased 9 per cent to €441 million last year. Licence fee income rose 7.1 per cent to €195.7 million, accounting for 45 per cent of revenues. The fee rose to €160 from €158 in January. Commercial revenue increased 10.5 per cent to €245 million.

Employee numbers rose 1 per cent to 2,307.

Mary Finan, chairwoman of the RTÉ Authority, said: “2007 was an extremely busy and challenging year for RTÉ at the end of which I am happy to report performance ahead of budget.”

RTÉ’s 2007 surplus includes €16.1 million relating to the defined benefit pension scheme.