RTE reveals managerial pay but not presenters'

RTE has refused to reveal the earnings of its highest-paid presenters but has published details of its top managers' pay in response to inquiries under the Freedom of Information Act.

Details of the salaries of presenters including Pat Kenny, Gay Byrne, Marian Finnucane, Mike Murphy and Gerry Ryan were sought by seven journalists from media organisations including The Irish Times.

The semi-state broadcaster refused to divulge the remuneration of the highest paid presenters but did release details of the wages paid to most of its staff.

The highest salary revealed is that of the Director General of RTE, Mr Bob Collins, who earns £94,046 a year.

Mr Liam Miller (managing director organisation and development) and Mr Joe Mulholland (outgoing managing director television) each earn between £67,714 and £82,761 a year.

Next on the salary rung come the director of radio, Ms Helen Shaw, and director of television, Mr Cathal Goan, who both receive between £61,618 and £77,118.

RTE's Freedom of Information office said it was refusing to release the details of some broadcasters' salaries because access to such information "could reasonably be expected to have a significant adverse effect on the performance by RTE of its management functions". It wrote to the seven journalists: "The public interest would on balance be better served by refusing to grant your request."

The information has been refused on seven grounds, including confidentiality clauses in some presenters' contracts, the possibility that releasing the information could hurt some employees financially, and the view that it could bestow "an unwarranted benefit to RTE's competitors".

It is now open to the journalists to appeal the decision to a higher manager in RTE and ultimately to the Information Commissioner. Among the other salaries released are those of journalists, producers, directors and technical staff.

Journalists earn between £23,429 and £32,166 a year depending on their experience and seniority. Correspondents can earn up to £39,169 per annum. The basic salary level for newscasters is between £29,044 and £32,100 a year.

Television producers earn between £25,198 and £36,104 depending on their experience and seniority. Radio producers can earn up to £34,845 per annum, while researchers earn between £16,672 and £26,900 a year.

roddyosullivan@ireland.com