Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The position is that RTÉ is independent in many of these operations. They are not day-to-day matters with which the Minister deals. Notwithstanding this, RTÉ states the latest figures demonstrate a reduction of 32% compared to fees earned in 2008. I understand the director general has indicated an intention to see further reductions in the fees paid to top performers, but that is an operational matter for the company. It will respond that some of the top performers are key in generating advertising revenue and that from its point of view they create important access to audiences and commercial revenue. However, there is a balance that it has to strike, but we must recognise that it is part of the day-to-day operations of the company.

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