RTE stars replace viewers on charges after cost scandal
R
TE presenters Joe Duffy and Claire Byrne have made stay on-air bulletins about their cost on the nationwide broadcaster, following a scandal over mis-stated charges for high earner Ryan Tubridy.
Prime Time presenter Miriam O’Callaghan additionally issued an announcement about her charges in a Twitter put up.
RTE publishes the charges for the highest 10 highest incomes on-air expertise on a biennial foundation.
The figures which are on my contract are the precise figures I obtain.
However, after it emerged that the nationwide broadcaster had underneath reported what Tubridy was incomes, different presenters took steps to offer readability over their very own state of affairs.
Duffy, the highest-paid RTE presenter behind Tubridy, informed Liveline listeners he had lately agreed to increase his contract by one other two years underneath the identical situations.
That means he’s paid 351,000 euro per yr, in accordance with the newest figures revealed in 2021.
He informed his viewers that this breaks down as 300,000 for radio work and 51,000 for tv programmes reminiscent of Liveline Callback, The Meaning Of Life, and Children Of The Troubles.
Duffy stated he had “never been offered, never requested, never received, never been involved in” any exterior deal.
“The figures that are on my contract are the exact figures I receive.”
Earlier on Monday, Byrne disclosed to her radio viewers that her payment with the nationwide broadcaster has fallen since she stopped internet hosting her weekly present affairs tv programme.
Byrne was talking on her day by day radio present for the primary time because the scandal emerged over undisclosed funds to Tubridy.
She had not been on air because the scandal started after happening a household journey to Co Kerry.
“I saw and heard the news coming in just as everyone else did,” she stated.
My private choice right here this morning is to be open and trustworthy with you
“I had no prior warning, no inkling that there was a problem on the horizon and I wasn’t even aware that presenter fees were subjected to a Grant Thornton review. I knew absolutely nothing about it.
“Just like everyone else, I’ve been grappling over the last few days with what has happened and the implications of it for all of us here in RTE and for you, who rely on us and expect us to be completely transparent.”
Byrne stated she heard “heartbreaking” expressions of damaged belief made by RTE viewers and listeners to call-in present Liveline over the matter.
“As programme makers, our aim is always to be consistent, fair and professional and to respect the hard-earned trust that you, the audience, has placed in us.”
With that payment that I earn comes an obligation for me to deal with this place with respect
She stated all figures revealed by RTE in relation to her charges have been right.
“I have never sought, been offered or discussed any kind of commercial or side deal. No other payment exists or has ever existed beyond my published fee.”
Her most up-to-date revealed payment was 350,000 euro, agreed for her to current her radio programme and the tv present Claire Byrne Life.
However, this has been decreased since she stopped presenting the programme.
“As you know, I decided not to continue with that television show for personal and family reasons.
“And so in order to be fully transparent with you, I want you to know that my RTE fee now is 280,000 euro and that fee is for presenting this programme. That last contract was negotiated by Noel Kelly.
“I recently presented the television quiz show Ireland’s Smartest and for that I was paid a separate fee of 25,000 euro.
“That contract was negotiated by other members of the NK Management company.”
Byrne stated she acknowledged this was a big payment and “beyond what many people could hope to earn”.
“There are others who will, no doubt, have more to say about it, I am sure, but my personal decision here this morning is to be open and honest with you,” she stated.
“But my decision to do this is not meant to set a precedent for others or to force anyone else to release their information. That is a matter entirely for themselves.
“I felt that, for me, it was the right thing to do today.
“With that fee that I earn comes a duty for me to treat this position with respect and I hope that you can trust me and the team of journalists I work with to cover this story with the same rigour and balance as we would any other story on this programme.”
Like Tubridy, Byrne and Duffy are represented by NK Management.
O’Callaghan additionally stated all figures revealed in relation to her charges have been right.
The Prime Time host earns 263,500 euro for her RTE work, in accordance with the latest figures.
In a tweet, she stated: “I have never received additional payments from RTE that were not publicly declared.”
She added: “It’s hard to put into words how incredibly sad I have been since this story broke last Thursday.
“I had no idea this was coming down the tracks.
“I feel you, our listeners and viewers, have been badly let down.”