RTÉ’s latest pay disclosures offer one of the clearest signals yet about how the broadcaster is reshaping itself after a bruising period of scrutiny. In a significant media Ireland development, the broadcaster’s senior leadership — not star presenters — dominated the 2025 highest earners list, underlining a new power balance at Montrose.
According to figures released ahead of RTÉ’s annual report, director general Kevin Bakhurst was the broadcaster’s highest paid figure in 2025, receiving a total package of €339,538. That sum was made up of a €250,000 basic salary, pension contributions, allowances and a small additional payment category. For observers tracking Irish media and the wider media industry Ireland landscape, the figures point to a broadcaster placing executive control and governance front and centre.
What RTÉ’s 2025 Earnings Tell Us About Media Ireland
The standout takeaway is simple: RTÉ’s top pay is now concentrated among executives. Bakhurst was followed by deputy director general Adrian Lynch on €293,627, chief technology officer Richard Waghorn on €291,160 and director of news and current affairs Deirdre McCarthy on €285,063.
Claire Byrne, who has since moved to Newstalk, was the only on-air personality to break into the top 10. Her company, Derrough Media, received €280,000 for her services in 2025.
That shift matters in media news Ireland because it reflects RTÉ’s attempt to draw a firmer line under past controversies around talent pay. Bakhurst had previously indicated that presenter and executive pay would be capped at his own basic salary level, though his approved salary is expected to rise this year.
Top Earners: Executives Take Centre Stage
The rest of the upper tier was also dominated by management, with compensation packages including pension payments and, in some cases, allowances.
- Mari Hurley, former chief financial officer — €276,344
- Steve Carson, director of video — €276,282
- Eimear Cusack, HR director — €274,721
- Gavin Deans, commercial director — €269,055
- Patricia Monahan, director of audio — €269,055
RTÉ also added a new executive role in 2025, appointing Eleanor O’Shaughnessy as chief risk and compliance officer, a post created following recommendations from an independent governance and culture review. She received €75,961 as a partial-year payment.
An RTÉ spokesperson said the published totals include pension contributions and allowances where applicable, while noting that newly appointed leadership figures did not receive extra perks such as car allowances.
Presenter Payments Still Matter in the Irish Media Industry
Although executives led the table, presenter earnings remain a major talking point across latest media news Ireland coverage. RTÉ’s top five on-air earners in 2025 were:
- Claire Byrne — €280,000
- Patrick Kielty — €266,323
- Miriam O’Callaghan — €244,797
- Brendan O’Connor — €239,988
- Ray D’Arcy — €219,992
All five were paid through production companies rather than directly as individuals, a detail that continues to draw interest in media updates Ireland and transparency discussions across the Irish media industry.
The Bigger Picture for RTÉ and Media Ireland
For the broader media market Ireland, this is more than a salary story. It is a governance story. RTÉ appears determined to show that leadership accountability, operational oversight and structural reform are now at the heart of the organisation.
That matters not just for public trust, but for the future of digital media Ireland, public broadcasting and commercial competition across the sector. In short, this latest media Ireland update suggests RTÉ wants its executive team — not its presenter roster — to define the next chapter.
The takeaway: RTÉ’s 2025 pay list shows a broadcaster still under the microscope, but also one clearly reordering its priorities. For anyone following media Ireland, the message is unmistakable: management now sits at the centre of the story.
Image Courtesy: The Irish Times
Credit/Courtesy for the Article: The Irish Times
