Pat Kenny and Joe Duffys wages

Bosco boy

Why are these people untouchable, the government and mainstream media seem to be afraid of them. Is their a journalist out their that is prepared to take them on and highlight this injustice. Is their a government out there to take them on. They pontificate every day to people on their morals and actions and yet screw the public and the country for outragous money when we cant afford it. I have no major problem taking a pay cut myself as a public servant to help the economy recover but show me first that silly money is not still being squandered like what these two are being paid and that I dont have to fund it.

Bosco boy

hey! what the heck seeing as no one gives a crap lets raise the TV licence and give them a rise and maybe an extra weeks holidays. We are suckers in this country and we deserve to be in the recession that we are in when we tolerate these wages, but screw the ordinary joe soap thats more acceptable!!

Mr Ed

Pat and Joe aren't state employees, they are contracted to work for RTE but not employees of the semi state. It's the management at Montrose who negiotiated their salary so they're the ones at fault.

bogmanfan

Here's what I can't understand about Kenny and Co...

In most situations where people receive very large salaries, part of the salary is given in order to ensure that person remains with the company and doesn't take their talents elsewhere. This excuse was used by banks in London for paying big bonuses. Without the huge money, the bankers would leave. Therefore we have to give them loads of cash. :rolleyes:
My question is, where would Pat Kenny go? I can't see ABC, CBS or NBC snapping him up. It's fairly unlikely that BBC would be interested and I can't see Channel 4 making an offer. Therefore, in my opinion, Kenny's position is actually very weak. He has only one possible employer - RTE - and yet they continue to cave in to his salary demands.
What would happen in the event that RTE tells Kenny they're halving his salary for next year? Where else would he go?????
I agree with the earlier post. It's not Kenny's fault, it's RTE's. Most of us will get as much money for our work as possible, it's up to our employers to decide how much the work is worth. In the case of RTE, they have grossly overvalued the work of their 'stars' for a long time now.

3DataModem

bogmanfan wrote: »

It's fairly unlikely that BBC would be interested and I can't see Channel 4 making an offer.

That's exactly what RTE said in 1968 to Gay Byrne after he looked for more money, and he promptly left for a year to go back to the BBC. Frank Hall presented the Late Late in his absence.

(Not saying Kenny etc is in the same boat BTW)

Bosco boy

Looks like the government have the semi state bodies in their sights for pay cuts, not sorry for RTE and hopefully this will seriously impact on what kenny and duffy get next time the contract comes up, they would have no prospects outside this country, best they could do would be todayfm of newstalk, those stations already have plenty overpaid under preforming radio hosts, that Eamnon Keane on newstalk is about as sincere as a whores kiss!

Fighting Irish

Bosco boy wrote: »

Why are these people untouchable, the government and mainstream media seem to be afraid of them. Is their a journalist out their that is prepared to take them on and highlight this injustice. Is their a government out there to take them on. They pontificate every day to people on their morals and actions and yet screw the public and the country for outragous money when we cant afford it. I have no major problem taking a pay cut myself as a public servant to help the economy recover but show me first that silly money is not still being squandered like what these two are being paid and that I dont have to fund it.

That's easy to say, but you were forced to take cuts.
Joe Duffy, Pat Kenny etc are paid what they're paid, it's not their fault
I say fair ****s to them for having a job that pays so well

Also, people like comparing Pat Kennys wages to Obamas wages. Really they should compare his wages to one the top radio/tv hosts in the US

ps i hate pat kenny and joe duffy, but not because they're successful

Elmo

In relation to RTÉ the government and media pointed out that they are the only semi-state body to have agreed cuts across the board at the company.

And 2010 will see all wages in that company reduce down again (IMO).

I was going to leave this forum as it is the usual stuff written and I only tend to defend, since the majority just simple go with the flow of making the simiple issue that neither JD or PK would be going of to the US or UK for work. However RTÉ does not have a monopoly and unlike other broadcasting companies they employ people for both TV and Radio.

PK and JD could head of to TV3 and Communicorp (Today FM and Newstalk). They can afford the price if they really wanted them (I do think both are overly inflated at RTÉ however I am sure Tom Dunne could be replaced by Pat Kenny for actual news).

Look at Ray D'Arcy in 2006 he admitted on his radio show that he earned more than Bertie Ahern, he works for RTÉ TV and Communicorp Radio. George Hook gave out about the wages for RTÉ "stars" yet I heard nothing of a pay cut from him for Rugby coverage on RTÉ TV.

Eamon Dunphy was the star catch for Newstalk who wooed him back to the Radio with a very very good wage.

Again Matt Copper works for Communicorp and TV3, I assume that he is earning around the €250,000 mark.

In say all of this the amounts paid to the top five RTÉ "stars" is completely over inflated.

In relation to Gay Byrne it wasn't until the late 1980s that he began looking for more money, his move back to Ireland could have been purely a personnel family matter.

The same can be said of the BBC in terms of wages, they have at least 10 "stars" on PK's 2008 wage and one star on 6million per year.

The licence fee will not be increased.

994

Even if RTE lose their "stars" to Newstalk/TV3/Today FM, what would it matter? People could still hear them, RTE's purpose is to serve the public not raise its own status.

Elmo

994 wrote: »

RTE's purpose is to serve the public not raise its own status.

The public needs to know about RTÉ for it serve the public. I would rather see them produce other programming than invest in "stars". But RTÉ thinks that these stars return the money that they invest through commercial income allowing them to put money into areas that commercial broadcasters would not go near such as Cultural, Drama, Documentary, Children's, Education etc. RTÉ makes profits on all of the shows that they present.

I am just giving the why, I don't agree with the why.

auerillo

Fighting Irish wrote: »

Also, people like comparing Pat Kennys wages to Obamas wages. Really they should compare his wages to one the top radio/tv hosts in the US

The USA population 250 000 000+
Ireland population 4 000 000

I should have thought that Chile or Greece might be more comparable for Ireland rather than the USA.

THe real story is that RTE pays it top talent rates that no other broadcaste can afford to pay them, therefor they can hang on to their top talent with virtually no risk of losing them. They do this because they get all the money from the licence fee, and no competitor gets money from the licence fee.

INCONFIDENCE

I don't care how much Joe and Pat earn . Long ago I learned the worst thing in the world is jealousy and as I have enough to live on and buy a few CDs etc I am happy. The saddest thing about Pat and Joes wages and all the others who earn more than they can possibly ever spend is it assumed everyone in the Radio TV business earns big bucks.

I worked with a local radio station for 5 years , when I needed a job done in the house everyone smelled big bucks but I was broke. I took a big cut in my lifestyle and wages to fulfill my DREAM. I was succesful and well known in the area. The last Christmas in the Radio Business I was broke and my family had a whip around when they realised how close I was to cancelling Christmas. In the local media hard work does not mean a living wage. When I mentioned to the Manager I understood if I worked hard I would be rewarded he wanted to know who told me that, My new job outside the industry pays twice what my Radio Job paid , I do half the work and I can feed my familyi.

Elmo

I hope the service wasn't own by a big conglomerate when you left. Did they close down or do they make money. I don't know much about local radio TBH. I agree that sometimes this DREAM has to be done for very little wages, many in RTÉ started out in pirate radio so they should know and understand this.

When I mentioned to the Manager I understood if I worked hard I would be rewarded he wanted to know who told me that

Your manager sounds like a ****ing idiot. What kind of money was he earning?

INCONFIDENCE

Actually as a human on a one to one basis the manager was a decent fellow. As a business man and motivator he was useless. But don't feel sorry for me look at the others who are trapped on low wages. Why even Ryan Tubridy told us yesterday he bought his children shoes for €4 in Penneys.Maybe he needs a whip around for Christmas.

Elmo

INCONFIDENCE wrote: »

Actually as a human on a one to one basis the manager was a decent fellow. As a business man and motivator he was useless. But don't feel sorry for me look at the others who are trapped on low wages. Why even Ryan Tubridy told us yesterday he bought his children shoes for €4 in Penneys.Maybe he needs a whip around for Christmas.

Ryan Tubrity sounds as bad as your Manager. Your manager was a good business man because he kept wages low when he could possibly well afford to increase them.

INCONFIDENCE

God help us if that is your version of a good business man. You are as bad as him you should pay a fair living wage not the lowest you can go.The good business man offered me double my wages to stay when I gave him notice. I told him he could no longer afford me and even though he rings regularily he never will.

Now any donations for the "Tubridy Kids Boot Fund"

Elmo

INCONFIDENCE wrote: »

You are as bad as him you should pay a fair living wage not the lowest you can go.

Yes. you should pay a fair living wage but also the price of the job.

So that all depends on what you do, but a fair living wage is just the start of the wage.

As I don't know how much you had in the Radio station or what you were offered I cannot comment on weather or not you were looking for too much, or if he was paying you too little.

Bosco boy

its the fact that they lecture everyone on whats right and wrong and give the impression they have such high standards, Pat Kenny proved himself with his big rock that he was squatting on at the side of his house as to how greedy he is. Joe also drove this public sector V's Private sector debate and sat back laughing all the way to the bank while ordinary decent people were at each others throats blaming each other which was a disgrace. Its fat cats like Kenny, Duffy and the greedy bankers and politicans that are to blame for our defunct economy but as long as we are blaming the man on the street the spotlight is off them!!!

Elmo

Bosco boy wrote: »

Its fat cats like Kenny, Duffy and the greedy bankers and politicans that are to blame for our defunct economy

I agree but you will need to broaden your scope. Editors of newspapers, CEO of TV channels and radio stations, other radio and TV "stars" from other national broadcasters.

For example the government has now set upon semi-state bodies to reduce wages, yet I don't here them asking for pay cuts from Eircom management or with AerLingus managers (I believe the government on the board of Aer lingus agreed good wages for the chair of Aer Lingus).

The funny thing is that RTÉ's stars salaries have always been up for debate.

Most high high earners have to take radical pay cuts. Both PK and JD did take some pay cuts but as pointed out 30% of a very high wage really doesn't do anything.

Fighting Irish

auerillo wrote: »

The USA population 250 000 000+
Ireland population 4 000 000

I should have thought that Chile or Greece might be more comparable for Ireland rather than the USA.

THe real story is that RTE pays it top talent rates that no other broadcaste can afford to pay them, therefor they can hang on to their top talent with virtually no risk of losing them. They do this because they get all the money from the licence fee, and no competitor gets money from the licence fee.

Yes i agree, i was just showing how ridiculous it is to compare him to obama

Actually wait, Chile and Greece have low wages in general so no point comparing it to them

Fighting Irish

Bosco boy wrote: »

its the fact that they lecture everyone on whats right and wrong and give the impression they have such high standards, Pat Kenny proved himself with his big rock that he was squatting on at the side of his house as to how greedy he is. Joe also drove this public sector V's Private sector debate and sat back laughing all the way to the bank while ordinary decent people were at each others throats blaming each other which was a disgrace. Its fat cats like Kenny, Duffy and the greedy bankers and politicans that are to blame for our defunct economy but as long as we are blaming the man on the street the spotlight is off them!!!

lol

KC JONES

What makes me laugh is Duffy asking someone on welfare how much they get. What would Duffy know about life on approx 200 euro per week.

I wish someone would ask him how much he makes,and how that relates to welfare, live on air . What would he know about that world. He is sickeningly smug and patronising

Fighting Irish

KC JONES wrote: »

What makes me laugh is Duffy asking someone on welfare how much they get. What would Duffy know about life on approx 200 euro per week.

I wish someone would ask him how much he makes,and how that relates to welfare, live on air . What would he know about that world. He is sickeningly smug and patronising

Sure keep listening to him, he'll defo get the sack then. Fair ****s to him for making what he does

Bosco boy

Its seems as if the race between TV3 and RTE to the bottom is firmly on, the gutter journalism by Andrew Hanlon and Ursala Halligan on St Stephens day is not surprising. Journalism in this country unfortunatly died the day that Veronica Gueirn died. There are a handful of decent journalists in this country and most of them are in the regional newspapers. The Papers in this country are now all tabloid standard. Editors are to blame, Angus Fanning in the Sunday independent is leading the way closely followed by Hanlon/Halligan in 2nd place with Kenny/Duffy close by. This press council or whatever its called is another quango headed by an ex journalist and is a complete joke. No wonder this country is so corrupt, good journalism is dead and gone. best wishes to Brian Lenihan and his family and may he get the space and privacy he needs to deal with his health issues.

doc_17

Marian Finucane gets 455,000 a year for working 2 hours on sat and sun (when she ain't on hols). That is ridiculous and along with pat and joe should have they pay slashed back down to reality

r3nu4l

doc_17 wrote: »

Marian Finucane gets 455,000 a year for working 2 hours on sat and sun (when she ain't on hols). That is ridiculous and along with pat and joe should have they pay slashed back down to reality

Marian gets that money because she 'draws a crowd'. I'd do the job for 100,000 a year and thousands others would do it for even less but somehow I don't think RTÉ will offer us the job simply because we are 'unknown' quantities. How much do the other presenters earn? It seems to me that you get big money when you attract a big audience. Gay Byrne wasn't the best talk show host in the world by any means (nor was Parkinson!) but they were able to weave enough magic to keep people tuning in. Seems fair to me.

Elmo

doc_17 wrote: »

Marian Finucane gets 455,000 a year for working 2 hours on sat and sun (when she ain't on hols). That is ridiculous and along with pat and joe should have they pay slashed back down to reality

I would say that Joe's and Marian's are the most unrealistic (okay they are all unrealistic) but with most of the others on the top 10 list they work for both RTÉ TV and Radio. Joe and Marian only work for RTE Radio and their wage should be based on this fact, it is unlikely that they would earn that kind of money in NewsTalk or TodayFM alone they would need to be working on TV as well.

However Marian does not work 4 hours a week, I am sure she has other things that she needs to do. I know I have seen her at press conferences.

Bosco boy

Fair play to Joe, hes been dealing with quarries all week on the radio sorting out loads of sand for the county councils and local authorities and telling everyone about it, he earned his pay packet again this week. Eamon Keane on newstalk is just as sickening but at least not paid for by the tax payer!

FlutterinBantam

r3nu4l wrote: »

Marian gets that money because she 'draws a crowd'. I'd do the job for 100,000 a year and thousands others would do it for even less but somehow I don't think RTÉ will offer us the job simply because we are 'unknown' quantities. How much do the other presenters earn? It seems to me that you get big money when you attract a big audience. Gay Byrne wasn't the best talk show host in the world by any means (nor was Parkinson!) but they were able to weave enough magic to keep people tuning in. Seems fair to me.

if you don't mind me saying sir, that's bulldust.

There are plenty of people who could do that job just as well,who are currently in Radio/TV.

Sure popularity qualifies for something, and audience figs count for something, but given the hours she works, the breaks she gets(remember off the whole summer)that salary is just plain ludicrous, there is just no other way to describe it.

Cannot understand the logic of it, as nobody would pay her a quarter of that salary for the same output anywhere in this country.