Claire Byrne has said it was RTÉ’s decision that she stopped working for them two months before the end of her contract. 

The broadcaster has released its list of highest paid presenters in 2025, in which Ms Byrne is ranked as the highest paid individual. 

Last year, RTÉ paid Ms Byrne €280,000; although she left the broadcaster at the end of October, she received a further €47,000 while she was not on air. 

Similarly, Ray D'Arcy left RTÉ in October last year, but was paid a further €50,000 while he was not on air. 

“I resigned from RTÉ in the summer,” Ms Byrne explained on The Claire Byrne Show. 

“My contract, though, ran until the end of the year, December 2025. 

“I made it clear I was happy to stay on and work there until the end of my contract. 

“But RTÉ came to me and told me that they wanted me to finish up at the end of October; that was their right and their decision.” 

Derek Mooney

The broadcaster has also revised its 2024 list of highest paid presenters to include Derek  Mooney, who earned €197,151. 

Previously, Mr Mooney was classified as a producer; however RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst said it "perfectly justifiable" to reclassify his role. 

“We think transparency is really important and most people know Derek as a presenter,” he told Morning Ireland. 

“I think we'd expect him to be classified as presenter, even though I think the majority of his work is as an executive producer.” 

RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst talking to the media outside the broadcaster's Headquarters. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie.

On The Claire Byrne Show, Labour TD Alan Kelly said he had been surprised to learn of the decision to reclassify Mr Mooney’s role. 

“I suppose the real question is why this occurred now? I understand the CFO is leaving,” he said. 

“Secondly, why wasn't this seen in 2023? 

“And I suppose thirdly, when it comes to the methodology, reverse engineering a methodology like that for years previously, surely the list would be different?

“Obviously, that would be a concern because I thought we'd gone past all of this, to be honest with you.” 

The Tipperary North TD said he would have to “take their word for it” that the classification is the correct decision. 

He added that the Public Accounts Committee plans to question the RTÉ staff about the matter next week. 

“Particularly as regards, why now? Why not in 2023? Did it not come to light?” he said.  

“And I suppose there are very few people left inside an RTE at a high level who would have the historical knowledge, but there may be one or two.”

Main image: Claire Byrne at RTÉ. Picture by: Niall Carson/PA Wire.