RTÉ has for the first time officially revealed details of the earnings of its top presenters. They show the national broadcaster paid its top 10 earners a total of €2,525,314 million in 2002. Regina Daly reports.
The figures - for the financial year ended December 31st, 2002 - list the 10 highest paid broadcasters engaged by RTÉ in order of their pay.
The amounts distinguish between employees who receive a salary, and contractors who are paid by way of "fees", excluding VAT.
Gerry Ryan was the top earner in RTÉ in 2002, according to the figures released by RTÉ yesterday. The presenter of the morning show on 2 FM received €601,882, doubling his earnings from the previous year and putting him ahead of the Late Late and Radio 1 presenter Pat Kenny.
Mr Kenny, who earned €556,430 in 2002, was the highest earner in the previous three years, earning €515,413 in 2001, €517,234 in 2000, and €494,683 in 1999. In contrast, Gerry Ryan earned €260,925 in 2001, €255,474 in 2000, and €319,318 in 1999.
RTÉ's director-general, Mr Cathal Goan, said the increase in Ryan's earnings could be attributed to "contract re-negotiations". An RTÉ statement explained: "Exceptional payments relating to contractual adjustment are reflected in a single year for various broadcasters and are not ongoing annual payments."
The 2002 figures are the most up to date, and were issued as a result of "a commitment made by the director-general of RTÉ to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources", according to the RTÉ statement.
Balcom Management Ltd (for the services of Gerry Ryan) received "fee payments" of €601,882; Pat Kenny Media Services Ltd received €556,430; and Montrose Services Ltd (for the services of Marian Finucane) received €329,226.
Gay Byrne (on retainer) received €201,888; Claddaghgreen Ltd (for the services of Joe Duffy) €193,144; David Hanly, presenter of Morning Ireland, €173,919; John Bowman, presenter of Questions & Answers, €132,662 (employee gross salary) and €31,823 (fee payments); Eamonn Dunphy, sports commentator, €156,708; John Kelly, arts presenter and DJ, €146,972; and Miriam O'Callaghan, Primetime presenter, €133,322.
In 2001, Pat Kenny was the station's highest earner, with Marian Finucane in second place, Gay Byrne in third and Gerry Ryan in fourth.
The total paid to the top 10 presenters in 2001 was €2,283,665, some €241,649 less than paid the following year.
Broadcasters Dave Fanning and Bill O'Herlihy were not among the top 10 highest earners in 2002, but they did feature in the 2001 list. Dave Fanning was in fifth place, with his company Bebbak Ltd receiving "fee payments" of €171,133 in 2001.
Bill O'Herlihy Communications Group Ltd received "fee payments" of €144,256 placing him in eighth place on the 2001 list.