#833 RTÉ Pleads Poverty While Executives Earn a Fortune

In this episode, Niall speaks to Cllr Albert Deasey and restaurateur Paul Treyvaud about executive pay at RTÉ and whether salaries at the taxpayer-funded broadcaster should be capped at €100,000.RTÉ is once again seeking additional public funding after the current multiannual package, worth approximately €725 million, runs out. At the same time, its latest annual report reveals that nine of the organisation’s ten highest earners are members of management, with total remuneration packages approaching or exceeding €300,000.Director General Kevin Bakhurst topped the table with total remuneration of €339,538, including pension contributions and allowances. He was followed by Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch on €293,627, Chief Technology Officer Richard Waghorn on €291,160, Director of News and Current Affairs Deirdre McCarthy on €285,063, presenter Claire Byrne on €280,000, former Chief Financial Officer Mari Hurley on €276,344, Director of Video Steve Carson on €276,282, former Director of Human Resources Eimear Cusack on €274,721, Commercial Director Gavin Deans on €269,055 and Director of Audio Patricia Monahan, also on €269,055.Mr Bakhurst is also awaiting government approval for a recommended €20,000 salary increase, a proposal that remains under review by the Department of Public Expenditure.Nobody is suggesting that salaries across the private sector should be capped. However, should different rules apply to an organisation that relies heavily on taxpayers, continues to seek additional financial support and repeatedly says it cannot make ends meet?Niall asks whether all salaries at RTÉ should be capped at €100,000. Would such a limit finally force the broadcaster to live within its means, or would it prevent RTÉ from recruiting and retaining experienced executives, journalists and broadcasters?Is €100,000 more than enough for anyone working at a publicly funded broadcaster, or is executive pay simply the unavoidable cost of attracting high-quality staff?