RTÉ's highest-paid presenter in 2003 was Gerry Ryan, although his earnings were lower than the previous year, new figures published yesterday reveal.
The 2FM presenter beat into second place the Late Late Show and Radio 1 broadcaster Pat Kenny, whose payment in 2003 was also less than 2002 but his contract was under negotiation that year.
The figures show the top 10 highest-paid presenters engaged by RTÉ for the financial year ended December 31st, 2003.
The amounts distinguish between employees who receive a salary and contractors who are paid by way of fees, excluding VAT.
The national broadcaster paid its top 10 earners a total of €2,262,143, less than in 2002 when the sum was €2,525,314.
Gerry Ryan, under Balcom Management Ltd, received €483,450 in 2003. This was a drop in earnings compared with 2002 when he received €601,882. Pat Kenny, under Pat Kenny Media Services Ltd, was paid €343,099. In 2002, Kenny earned €556,430.
Marian Finucane for her RTÉ 1 radio show, under Montrose Services Ltd, earned €329,227 which remained almost unchanged from the previous year.
Liveline presenter Joe Duffy, Claddaghgreen Ltd, was paid €228,743 and was the fourth highest earner. Duffy's earnings increased from €193,144 the previous year.
Brian Farrell, on contract, received €175,618 in 2003. RTÉ said his payment included a long-term service recognition sum in addition to contractual salary.
Derek Mooney, an employee of RTÉ, was paid €162,950, while Miriam O'Callaghan, a Prime Time presenter, also on contract, earned €144,432, a slight increase on 2002 when she received €133,322.
Chief news reporter Charlie Bird, an employee, appears on the list for the first time, earning €138,246.
Ninth on the list is John Kelly, on contract, who earned €137,826 and 10th is sports presenter George Hamilton, on contract, with €137,553.
An RTÉ spokeswoman said any decrease in earnings did not necessarily mean a cut in salary.
"They are contractual. They invoice RTÉ for services so they may not have put in for a full year," she said.
She added that exceptional payments relating to contractual adjustment or a bonus payment may be reflected in a single year and were not ongoing annual payments and so these payments could have been made in a previous year.