Joe Duffy was RTÉ's highest-paid presenter, earning €351,000 in both 2024 and 2023, according to figures from RTÉ's Annual Report.
It comes in the same year Duffy brought the curtain down on his long RTÉ career, retiring after 37 years with the broadcaster and 27 years at the helm of Liveline.
The full top 10 highest-paid presenters for 2024 are:
- Joe Duffy - €351,000 (2024) / €351,000 (2023)
- Claire Byrne - €280,000 (2024) / €280,000 (2023)
- Patrick Kielty - €257,657 (2024)
- Miriam O'Callaghan - €246,708 (2024) / €263,500 (2023)
- Brendan O'Connor - €244,099 (2024) / €245,004 (2023)
- Ray D'Arcy - €220,409 (2024) / €250,000 (2023)
- Mary Wilson - €209,545 (2024) / €199,194 (2023)
- Dáithí Ó Sé - €196,885 (2024)
- George Lee - €195,939 (2024) / €185,674 (2023)
- Darragh Maloney - €194,902 (2024) / €186,650 (2023)
RTÉ has committed to publishing presenter earnings annually as part of ongoing transparency measures.
Although the presenter list reflects only on-air talent, several senior executives are among RTÉ's highest earners overall.
Director General Kevin Bakhurst earned €339,954 in 2024, including salary, pension, and allowances.
Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch earned €292,285; Director of Operations, Technology and Transformation Richard Waghorn earned €287,120, Managing Director of News and Current Affairs Deirdre McCarthy earned €281,187, and Director of Human Resources Eimear Cusack earned €274,694.
RTÉ's top 10 overall highest earners for 2024 are:
- Presenter Joe Duffy - €351,000
- Director General Kevin Bakhurst - €339,954
- Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch - €292,285
- Director of Operations, Technology and Transformation Richard Waghorn - €287,120
- Managing Director of News & Current Affairs Deirdre McCarthy - €281,187
- Presenter Claire Byrne - €280,000
- Director of Human Resources Eimear Cusack - €274,694
- Presenter Patrick Kielty - €257,657
- Presenter Miriam O'Callaghan - €246,708
- Presenter Brendan O'Connor - €244,099
RTÉ has reported a surplus for 2024, with increased commercial income and a fall in licence fee revenue compared with last year. The broadcaster has highlighted the financial pressures linked to its public service remit.
Alongside the salary figures, RTÉ has also pointed to a strong year for entertainment and Irish drama on screen in 2024. Dancing with the Stars and The Late Late Show delivered large audiences, including a hugely successful Home Alone-themed Toy Show, which was the most-watched programme of the year.
New dramas such as Blackshore and The Boy That Never Was attracted strong viewer interest according to the report, while the Storyland initiative continued to develop emerging Irish writing, producing, and directing talent making the move into mainstream series.
