RTE has reported its highest annual turnover and profits in decades.
The Irish broadcaster’s annual report for 2005 shows a 7.8 per cent jump in turnover, rising to €369 million (£255m).
RTE1, its main TV channel, had a surplus of €16m (£11m), although RTE2 made an €8.9m (£6m) loss.
RTE director general Cathal Goan is now one of the most highly paid chief executives of a semi-state company in Ireland after receiving a €40,000 ($27,000) performance-related bonus.
His total remuneration currently stands at €363,000 (£250,000).
Results from the broadcaster’s radio division were mixed. RTE Radio 1 posted a €5.8m deficit whereas 2FM produced a surplus of €4.6m.
Licence fee evasion continues to be a problem, with the broadcaster estimating that 16 per cent of households do not hold a valid television licence. The rate of evasion is twice that of the UK.
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