Pat Kenny claims he may return to RTÉ television

The broadcaster Pat Kenny has claimed there is “every possibility” he will one day work for RTE television again.

Mr Kenny – who was one of RTE’s marquee presenters on both radio and television – shocked staff at the State broadcaster when he defected to commercial rival Newstalk almost a month ago.

Speaking to TV3 yesterday, Mr Kenny denied he made the move because of a breakdown in relations between himself and the broadcaster – but claimed he left “on very good terms” with management.

“I left RTÉ director general Noel Curran on very good terms and neither he nor I have ruled out the notion of working on RTÉ television,” he said.

“I certainly won’t be working for the foreseeable future on RTÉ radio, but there’s every possibility that I’ll do some work on RTÉ television. If I choose to do television it will be on my own terms and on my own timing.

“Whether I do any broadcasting in Britain, whether I do any broadcasting for TV3 or RTÉ, whether I write columns for newspapers – all of that is on the back burner. Newstalk is my project for the moment and this is the one that has really got to work.”

Mr Kenny also denied reports the initial contact between himself and Newstalk was initiated by the station’s billionaire owner Denis O’Brien.

“Denis rang me after I had come on board and said ‘welcome aboard’, but no everything was done through intermediaries,” he said.

Mr Kenny also said it was “no secret” he had lost out financially as a result of investments in property before the economic crash.

“You make investments. They look good at the time. They didn’t turn out so well, and I’m not unique in that respect. So yes, I was hit hard but I’m not sinking.”