RTE issue statement on remuneration for highest paid presenters

Following January’s ruling by the Irish Information Commissioner that “access be granted to details of the salaries which were paid to RTÉ’s 25 highest paid presenters for 1998 to 2000,” the Irish state broadcaster has declined the option to appeal.
RTÉ did so because the years concerned were sufficiently historic to “significantly reduce its concerns in relation to commercial sensitivity and impact on contractual negotiations.”
RTÉ will be issuing the details for the years 1998, 1999 and 2000 as soon as its auditors have reviewed and reported on the payments.
In 2001, while addressing the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) sub-committee charged with Broadcasting, the then Director-General of RTÉ gave a public commitment to publish the remuneration package for the top ten highest paid presenters as soon as all contractual difficulties had been addressed. This commitment is in line with RTÉ’s determination to meet the highest standards of transparency and accountability. The commitment will be implemented with effect from this year, as all contractual obligations, primarily confidentiality clauses, have been resolved.
The remuneration details will be published circa 18 months in arrears – so this year, in tandem with the Annual Report for 2003, the remuneration packages for 2002 will be published.
(GB)