RTÉ presenter Claire Byrne has revealed she has left agent-to-the-stars Noel Kelly as she gears up for contract talks with the national broadcaster – but won’t rule out a move elsewhere, writes Liam De Brun.
Noel Kelly – agent to a host of RTÉ stars, as well as former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy – made headlines last year when he appeared before an Oireachtas committee for questioning on the hidden payments scandal at the broadcaster.
That series of scandals led to the appointment of Kevin Bakhurst as RTÉ director general, who brought in a series of reforms to clamp down on wasteful spending – including a salary cap of €250,000 and a register of interests for staff.
In an interview with the Sunday Independent, the Today with Claire Byrne radio host said she had left the Noel Kelly Talent Agency on good terms.
Asked if he would handle contract talks, she said: “No is the answer to that.
“I’ve been with Noel for years and years...
“But as I’m not doing any outside events there was no point having representation.
“At this stage of my career, I know what I’m worth, essentially.”
Asked how she felt about the salary cap, she said: “Look, when the salary issue came up, I told people what I was on before I was mandated to.”
Before leaving her TV show to focus solely on radio in 2022, Ms Byrne earned €350,000 a year, which was then reduced to €280,000 – beyond the salary cap.
She added: “I have to maintain financial dignity. I’m going to have a conversation, probably with Kevin, when my contract comes up.
“I’m not going to talk about the pay cap until I have that conversation.”
Asked if she would consider working outside RTÉ, she said: “I never say never. It’s a very fragmented media environment.
“I don’t know what the next phase of my career might be.”
Photo: Claire Byrne. Pic: Rollingnews
