PAC orders broadcaster to explain stars’ ‘self-employment’ contracts

TOP talent at RTÉ will be put under the spotlight by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) after members raised concerns about self-employment contracts and the terms under which high-earning broadcasters are paid.

Members of the PAC yesterday asked for RTÉ management to be hauled before them to explain how salaries are paid to its stars.

Seven of RTÉ’s top 10 earners use companies to contract their services to the national broadcaster. These include Ryan Tubridy, Ray D’Arcy, Joe Duffy, Miriam O’Callaghan (inset), Marian Finucane and Claire Byrne. Former Westlife singer Nicky Byrne’s services are also retained through a company. This brings a number of potential benefits including greater control of tax affairs and pension arrangements. PAC members said they were afraid this was coming at a cost to the Exchequer. Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy said this method was being utilised by top earners in many businesses, creating a disparity between those paying corporation tax and staff who are in the PAYE system.

“It is very useful for us to understand what is going on with bogus self-employment contracts and I don’t see why we wouldn’t look at that in relation to one company, which happens to be the national broadcaster, to understand what is going on there. It is not illegal but it might come at a cost to the public,” said Ms Murphy.

PAC chair Seán Fleming said the group would write to RTÉ in the coming days inviting the broadcaster to explain how the self-employment pay arrangements work. “It is the financial aspects of the organisation that are of concern to us in view of the fact the majority of their funding comes from the public purse,” he said.

RTÉ said it contracts service providers in an appropriate manner and would answer PAC’s questions. It is currently conducting a review of how it engages with contractors.

A spokesman said: “RTÉ’s workforce is made up primarily of staff who are engaged through employment contracts.”