The State broadcaster has published the earnings of its top ten presenters, a list of names that we have all become familiar with over the years.
However, there has been some controversy over exactly what constitutes a presenter, and one star who was left off the list in 2024 has now been reinstated.
Derek Mooney, who produces and presents ‘Mooney Goes Wild,’ is not the top earner, but rather seventh out of a list of ten.
RTÉ amended its published earnings figures after acknowledging that Derek Mooney’s salary had been incorrectly recorded in public documents.
Following the revision, Mooney has now been included among the broadcaster’s 10 highest-paid presenters for 2024.
RTÉ said the change came after it reviewed and updated its definition of a presenter and included those who both produce and present programmes.
In releasing information on the top earners who hold dual roles at the company, producers/presenters and editors/presenters were included in the 2025 figures for the first time.
Claire Byrne topped RTÉ’s presenter earnings list for 2025 with reported pay of €280,000.
She was followed by Patrick Kielty with €266,323, while Miriam O’Callaghan ranked third with €244,797.
Claire Byrne and Ray D’Arcy both received payments from RTÉ after finishing their on-air roles as part of contractual agreements covering the full year.
Claire Byrne stopped providing services to the broadcaster on October 31, 2025, but later received a further payment of €47,000.
Meanwhile, Ray D’Arcy ceased working with RTÉ on October 9, 2025, and was subsequently paid €50,000 under the terms of his contract.
Terence O’Rourke, chair of the board of RTE, said: ‘The board supports the ongoing commitment by RTE to transparency, as evidenced in today’s announcement.’
While Director General of RTE, Kevin Backhurst, said, ‘In keeping with RTE’s commitment to increased transparency, we are today confirming, and publishing, our decision to include all those presenters who are in dual roles in the annual top ten presenters.’
Six of those in the top ten are contractors to RTE, not employees, and include Claire Byrne, Patrick Kielty, Miriam O’Callaghan, Brendan O’Connor, and Ray D’Arcy.
The top ten earners for 2025 were
- Claire Byrne
- Patrick Kielty
- Miriam O’Callaghan
- Brendan O’Connor
- Ray D’Arcy
- David McCullagh
- Derek Mooney
- Darragh Moloney
- George Lee
- Daithí O Sé
