Broadcaster David McCullagh has said he will continue to be an RTÉ staff member rather than a contractor when he undertakes his new role as presenter of Radio 1's Today programme in November.
The Six One News anchor and Behind the Story podcast presenter is taking over the role as current presenter Claire Byrne is leaving RTÉ later this year.
Ms Byrne will join Newstalk in early 2026 to host a new mid-morning programme.
Speaking on RTÉ's Oliver Callan programme, Mr McCullagh said he will receive a salary of €209,000 for the new role alongside a pension, which "will bring it up to the total package [of] about €240,000".
"So for the first time, I'll be in, I presume I'll be in, the top ten list. So everybody will know how much I'm getting paid."
He added that as a staff member his contract will run for three years, adding "sure who knows, it might be renewed".
The broadcaster said he "didn't really want to leave Six One" but said "if there was another job going - and I mean the Today Show is probably one of the best gigs in Irish media - so when it was offered to me, [it] didn't take long to make up my mind," he said.
He noted that he had said before being offered the presenter role that he "would be interested if there were opportunties".
Mr McCullagh said he is absolutely aware of the fact that there are "big shoes to fill" when he takes on the position as the programme has a "long tradition of really excellent presenters".
The most recent JNLR figures, published in August, showed that Today with Claire Byrne was one of the most listened to radio programmes in the country with 354,000 listeners.
"I'm aware that it's a big challenge and that's part of the attraction, but I'm also aware that the team is fabulous and everybody I talked to over the last while since the news broke has said two things - one you'll really enjoy it and two, the team are fantastic," he said.
In addition to his new radio role, Mr McCullagh will continue to present general, European and presidential election coverage for RTÉ News. He will start his new role on 3 November.
