From BBC to RTÉ: Station facing calls to close the gender pay gap

Last week, salaries of both male and female BBC broadcasters were published, and since then a letter has been signed by more than 40 female broadcasters in an effort to close the gender pay gap.

And now, it looks like the same is happening with our own national broadcasting station.

This is now gathering political steam … pic.twitter.com/JCsuAbayw0

— Martina Fitzgerald (@MartinaFitzg) July 23, 2017

RTÉ bosses are facing calls from its prominent female staff members to publish current salaries.

Last night, senior female broadcasters, Emma O'Kelly, Martina Fitzgerald and Sharon Ní Bheoláin called for both male and female salaries to be published in an effort to establish the difference of pay and to be more 'transparent'.

Yesterday, The Sunday Independent revealed that Sharon earns €60,000 – €80,000 less than her male co-anchor Bryan Dobson.

The news anchor told the paper: “As someone who values her privacy the very notion of sharing my salary with your newspaper is abhorrent to me.

"I do recognise, however, inequality and gender pay are key social issues in need of examination and so it would be cowardly of me not to comment.

“I can confirm the 2014 pay disparity you reference was accurate. However, this pay gap has since narrowed. In return for a pay rise, I have also undertaken extra duties.

“I believe that I am well remunerated, but, for the record, my pay is still considerably less than that of Bryan’s. I won’t be commenting further.”

RTÉ have yet to comment on the situation it faces.