Patrick Kielty has expressed his wishes to make his fee for the Late Late Show public once it goes through the appropriate processes, including the remuneration committee of RTÉ.
This has been reported widely after a meeting of the Oireachtas Media Committee.
Appearing before the Oireachtas committee members, the station’s management also said they would be happy to publish the salary – if Mr Kielty agreed.
Its chair Niamh Smyth told members that she expects they will agree to invite Noel Kelly Management, Ryan Tubridy, RTÉ Director of Content Jim Jennings and former director general Dee Forbes to attend at a later date, following the conclusion of Wednesday’s meeting with RTÉ officials.
Ryan Tubridy’s contract for radio and television services ended on 31 May.
Interim Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch told the committee that the broadcaster has sent out an adjustment to the contract that is now with Mr Tubridy’s agent while for now, Mr Tubridy is being paid the radio element of that contract.
Chief Financial Officer Richard Collins and former director general Dee Forbes were informed in early March by Deloitte about potential issues around payments, the Oireachtas Media Committee has been told. This was prior to the RTÉ Board’s Audit and Risk Committee being informed on 17 March.
Mr Collins apologised for not making this clear earlier in today’s session. Mr Tubridy has previously stated that this did not influence his decision to leave The Late Late Show.
Meanwhile Tubridy’s successor as Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty’ contract has been signed by both sides.
Board Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh said the contract will to go before the Remuneration Committee.
Staff representative on the RTÉ Board, Robert Shortt, said people feel “uncomfortable” with very high salaries being paid to presenters.
He said the majority of funding came from the licence fee, adding that there was a time when two thirds of RTÉ’s revenue came from commercial sources.
RTÉ Board Chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh asked former director general Dee Forbes to resign on Friday 16 June – almost a week before the controversy became public.
This came after a Grant Thornton Review was provided to the audit and risk committee of the board. The committee then recommended that the board seek the resignation of Ms Forbes.
