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Sharon speaks out on RTE pay gap as Dobson joins ‘Morning Ireland’ JESSICA O’GARA Niamh Horan Sharon Ni Bheolain. comes as RTE plans its biggest Ni Bheolain said: “As some- of me not to comment.” but, for the record, my pay revelations of significant pay Taking life with EXCLUSIVE Mr Dobson is among RTE’s newsroom shake-up in years, one who values her privacy She continued: “I can con- is still considerably less than disparities at the BBC. Minis- top 10 earners — with an with Mr Dobson set to move to the very notion of sharing firm the 2014 pay disparity that of Bryan’s. I won’t be ter for Communications Denis Ronan in her THE pay gap between RTE’s annual salary of €195,816 in the Radio One current affairs my salary with your newspa- you reference was accurate. commenting further.” Naughten says he wants the best-known newsreaders has 2014, but it is understood flagship Morning Ireland. per is abhorrent to me. I do However, this pay gap has Mr Dobson was contacted salaries of all RTE staff earn- stride IN LIVING been revealed, with Bryan that Ms Ni Bheolain is paid In response to questions recognise, however, inequality since narrowed. In return for last night but did not return ing more than €100,000 a year Dobson earning between considerably less. over whether Mr Dobson is and gender pay are key social a pay rise, I have also under- calls. published annually. €60,000-€80,000 a year more The news of the gender pay on double her salary, accord- issues in need of examination taken extra duties. I believe The gender pay gap was than his female co-anchor gap between the newsreaders ing to RTE’s 2014 figures, Ms and so it would be cowardly that I am well remunerated, brought into sharp focus by › Full story on page 3 Squeezed middle GAME OF want tax cuts as THRONES Leo soars — poll Emilia Clarke on TV, nudity and feminism IN LIFE Philip Ryan POLL RESULTS AND ANALYSIS, PAGES 4 & 20 EXCLUSIVE THE squeezed middle are rise in support, more than throwing their support be- two in five (41pc) white-collar hind the Government but voters want to see tax cuts in want to be rewarded with the Budget, while around one tax cuts in the Budget, a in three (35pc) want the Gov- Sunday Independent/Kantar ernment to focus on spending. Millward Brown opinion poll Meanwhile, Mr Varadkar’s has revealed. appointment as Taoiseach has The exclusive opinion also resulted in a significant poll shows confidence in the nine-point swing between Government has soared to Fine Gael and the main oppo- a six-year high since the ap- sition party Fianna Fail. Fine pointment of Leo Varadkar as Gael support has increased Taoiseach, but those backing by five points to 30pc, while the new Fine Gael leader now Micheal Martin’s Fianna Fail expect to have more take- has dropped four points to home pay in their pockets 29pc since the last comparable after the Budget. poll taken in February. The number satisfied with While public support for the Government has jumped the two main parties is almost a massive 13 points to 40pc, neck-and-neck, Mr Martin will which is by far the highest be concerned about the shift level of support for a Fine in support from Fianna Fail Gael-led administration since to Fine Gael since the change the 2011 general election. in Taoiseach. Mr Martin has Satisfaction with the Gov- continually ruled out bounc- ernment is higher among pro- ing Fine Gael into a snap vote fessional and working voters but the party has increased (49pc) and those living in its election preparations in Dublin (54pc) where the eco- recent weeks. nomic recovery has improved The Taoiseach’s personal at a faster rate than other satisfaction rating (49pc), TALENT: RTE newsreader Sharon Ni Bheolain: ‘Inequality parts of the country. and gender pay are key social issues’ In return for this dramatic Continued on page 4

BRENDAN O’CONNOR Uh oh! It’s a good day in Ireland

HERE’S an uneasy liked Enda. And we even ing to happen everywhere. raised its economic growth feeling around the like Fine Gael a bit more. We Someone seems to have projections to 4.8pc for this Tplace. It’s almost like even warmed to that little managed to rebuild a beauti- year and 3.8pc next year. a perfect storm. A perfect Bob Cratchit lad in the De- ful outdoor swimming baths And none of the mysterious storm of positivity. Not only partment of Health when we in Clontarf without a huge jobless growth we enjoyed is the sun shining, which saw him getting married on row or making a balls of it. for so many years. In fact, traditionally causes Irish Friday. If the phrase ‘lovely And it will open, not in 10 this economic growth will people to lose their marbles girl’ hadn’t been outlawed years — the usual time span be driven in part by employ- and completely forget who your mother would say his on many projects — but in ment growth of 3pc this year we are, but U2 are home, new wife Caoimhe Wade six weeks. They seem to have and 2.4pc next year. reinstated for now as the looks like a lovely girl. And just quietly done it, without And to top it all last week, greatest rock ’n’ roll band in being a nurse we imagine fanfare. we even heard the unlikely the world. she is capable and bossy in Even Michael O’Leary is phrase “Ireland strike gold And then there is this a nice way, so she’ll set that contributing to the gaiety in the 100m at the European curious situation whereby, lad straight. And seeing of the nation. There was championships” as diver- according to our poll today, Enda and Fionnuala looking something comforting last sity started to pay more people don’t seem to hate younger than their years week about him assuming dividends and 18-year-old the Government as much and in love arriving at the again his traditional role as Irish girl Gina Akpe-Moses as is considered proper and wedding, it was as if all the what Jennifer Zamparelli became our latest athletic traditional. It seems we like bad stuff about Enda melted called “the biggest pr**k in champion. Leo. It seems we like him away, forgiven, forgotten. Ireland”. Not once but twice All this good stuff is very a whole lot more than we Unlikely things are start- in one day he popped his unsettling, and of course head up on Radio One to some of us would prefer to Recommended retail price of the Sunday Independent in R.O.I is €3.00 do his stock material, like keep portraying the country Vol. 112 No. 29 C calling his own customers as “some kind of hellhole of whingers. Comforting, too, Calcutta” as Brian Hayes put to hear Joe Duffy having a it in Glenties. But maybe, good old barney with him on just for today, it would Liveline. It felt as if the natu- be OK to just savour this ral order had been restored. moment, and think, it’s not And then Bank of Ireland all bad. 23 July 2017 Sunday Independent C NEWS 3 Sharon reveals gender pay gap on TV news desk

Arguably more bankable, RTE newsreader Sharon Ni Bheolain earns considerably less than her male co-anchor, writes Niamh Horan

HE pay gap revelations of significant between RTE’s pay disparities at the BBC in best-known Britain. newscasters has At least 10 female Tbeen revealed BBC presenters are now with Bryan Dobson earning considering legal action if between €60,000 to the corporation does not €80,000 per year more than narrow the gender pay gap. his female co-anchor Sharon The women, household Ni Bheolain. names from radio and While Mr Dobson television, were furious to is among RTE’s top 10 learn that male colleagues earners, with an annual who shared their job salary of €195,816 in descriptions are significantly 2014, it is understood that better paid. Ms Ni Bheolain is paid Back on this side of considerably less. the Irish Sea, the Sunday The gender pay gap Independent has learned between two of the national that the pay gap between broadcaster’s most familiar RTE’s main TV news faces comes as RTE plans its presenters was even greater biggest newsroom shake-up until a few years ago. in years. At one time, Mr Dobson When contacted earned double the salary yesterday, Ms Ni Bheolain, in of his female co-anchor — response to questions over though, arguably, she has whether Mr Dobson is on the greater recognition double her salary according factor among TV viewers. to RTE’s 2014 figures, said: She was even referenced “As someone who values her in TV adverts for Carlsberg privacy, the very notion of beer. sharing my salary with your The figure emerges as the newspaper is abhorrent to BBC faces fierce criticism me. I do, however, recognise after being forced to expose inequality and gender pay its gender pay gap. The Irish are key social issues in need State broadcaster has yet to of examination and so it do the same. would be cowardly of me not When contacted about to comment.” the pay gap, RTE said it did She continued: “I can not comment on individual PAY PACKETS: Sharon Ni Bheolain has confirmed that fellow RTE newscaster Bryan Dobson is paid a much larger salary than she receives confirm the 2014 pay salaries, however “the disparity you reference was difference in earning power” accurate. However, this pay across the board is down also covered RTE’s 1916 is understood that RTE is When asked if RTE represents less than 1pc of gap has since narrowed. to “experience, length of ‘I do recognise inequality and commemorations. lining up a male presenter. It is open to releasing its RTE’s total operating costs In return for a pay rise, I service and range of duties”. gender pay are key social Ms Ni Bheolain is also remains to be seen if the pay scales in its totality, in 2014 and less than 2pc have also undertaken extra Mr Dobson has been in currently the main new newscaster will be put a separate spokesperson of total personnel-related duties. I believe that I am the job 21 years, while Ms issues in need of examination presenter, while Mr Dobson in a more senior position said: “RTE is very proud operating costs. Salaries well remunerated, but for Ni Bheolain has been by is on a three-month than Ms Ni Bheolain and on of its on-air talent, both and earnings at RTE are not the record, my pay is still his side since taking up the and so it would be cowardly of incentivised sabbatical. what salary. male and female, who based on gender. Diversity considerably less than post in 2005. But they carry Meanwhile, as part of When asked about the continue to make a valuable within the organisation is that of Bryan’s. I won’t be out remarkably similar me not to comment’ the newsroom shake-up, pay gap this weekend, an contribution to our public being considered as part commenting further.” duties and both share heavy Mr Dobson will step down RTE spokesperson told service. In line with our of RTE’s five-year strategy The Sunday Independent responsibilities as the ‘faces’ as a main evening news the Sunday Independent: public commitment, RTE which is due to be presented understands that Mr of RTE’s news coverage on programmes are largely on Wednesdays. broadcaster to take up a post “RTE overall pay takes has been publishing details to the BAI (Broadcasting Dobson, who has presented television. shared 50/50 between the During the 2016 Election as a presenter on Morning into account a wide range of its top 10 highest earners Authoring of Ireland) in the main TV news for more Both Ms Ni Bheolain and two newscasters. campaign Six One News Ireland — RTE Radio One’s of factors including levels for a number of years and September.” than two decades, will be Mr Dobson present a similar Both anchors also present coverage, Ms Ni Bheolain flagship morning current of experience, length of has to date published figures It added: “RTE would moving to Morning Ireland. number of Six One News Leaders’ Questions from Dail reported and presented all affairs show. Cathal Mac service and range of duties for 2008-2014. RTE has adhere to any legal Last week, the issue of bulletins. Both present a Eireann. Ms Ni Bheolain constituency programmes, Coille is expected to retire in or programming a person reduced the fees paid to top requirements to disclose men earning more than similar number of outside presents the programme on while Mr Dobson conducted the coming weeks. is involved in. RTE does not talent by 40pc since 2008. further information on women in broadcasting was broadcasts, while news Tuesdays and Thursdays, interviews with party It remains to be seen comment on individual staff ‘‘The total top 10 salaries, including gender- brought into sharp focus by specials and breaking news while Mr Dobson presents leaders. In 2016, Mr Dobson who will replace him but it salaries.” presenter earnings for 2014 related information.” Minister tells RTE to publish salaries of stars every year

Philip Ryan than €113,000 on his earnings and Wayne O’Connor the previous year. RTE’s TOP EARNERS Both Mr Tubridy and Mr COMMUNICATIONS Min- Last published figures (2014) Duffy were among five of ister Denis Naughten wants the top 10 earners who are RTE to annually publish the Ryan Tubridy €495,000 contractors, meaning they salaries of all its top broad- charge RTE fees for their work casters who earn more than Joe Duffy €416,893 as opposed to earning a salary. €100,000-a-year. Marian Finucane, on Mr Naughten’s call will Marian Finucane €295,000 €295,000, was the highest heap pressure on RTE to be- paid female presenter the last come as transparent as its Sean O’Rourke €290,096 time RTE’s payments to its top counterpart in Britain, the talent were disclosed. This BBC, which was forced to de- Miriam O’Callaghan €280,445 figure left her third overall but tail the salaries of more than Bryan Dobson €195,816 it is down on the €437,005 she 90 of its top stars last week. received in 2012. Those salaries revealed a George Lee €179,031 Sean O’Rourke and Mir- massive gender pay divide. iam O’Callaghan rounded The Communications Min- Richard Crowley €174,120 off the top five with incomes ister’s spokeswoman told the of €290,096 and €280,445 Sunday Independent: “The Colm Hayes €169,992 respectively. Minister would be in favour Newsreader Bryan Dob- of RTE publishing the salaries Derek Mooney €168,871 son’s most recently published of its top presenters who earn salary figure was €195,816. more than €100,00 on their Agriculture and environment website annually.” correspondent George Lee’s RTE publishes the salaries 2014 payment was €179,031. of the station’s top-10 earners Journalist Richard Crowley every two years but the figures was ranked eighth on the list given are for amounts paid to with his €174,120 salary. Derek broadcasters two years earlier. Mooney rounded off the top 10 Last year, RTE released by earning €168,871. details of salaries earned by Ryan Tubridy, Miriam O’Callaghan, Sean O’Rourke, Derek Mooney Radio host Colm Hayes was broadcasters in 2014. also included on the list but The figures showed the end of this year. and represents a significant he no longer works for RTE. state broadcaster’s 10 highest The host of The Late Late pay cut from the €752,950 he In 2014, his reported earnings paid stars earned more than Show, Ryan Tubridy, is RTE’s earned two years earlier. were €169,992. The figures €2.6m between them during best paid presenter, earning Joe Duffy is RTE’s second when they were published did 2014. €495,000. highest paid broadcaster. The not include Ray D’Arcy’s pay New figures are set to be His stipend covers both 2014 figures show he was paid because he only re-joined from declared publicly before the his television and radio work €416,893, an increase of more Today FM in 2015.

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