Joe Duffy reportedly set to leave RTÉ next year

Simon Kelly

It is understood his current contract runs out in the middle of 2025.

Joe Duffy is reportedly set to leave RTÉ as the director general confirmed that the presenter has not asked for his contract to be renewed.

The Liveline host joined the national broadcaster in 1989 and has been a staple of Irish radio in the decades since.

Speaking to The Mirror, Kevin Bakhurst said: “Joe Duffy has made it clear he is not looking for a new contract when he finishes this contract. You have to ask him. I don’t want to start talking out of school.”

Joe Duffy reportedly set to leave RTÉ next year

It was revealed last month that Duffy’s salary is €351,000, making him the second highest paid at RTÉ.

The 68-year-old signed a four-year contract with RTÉ in 2019 and agreed to a two-year extension to take his contract up to 2025 under a clause the broadcaster had inserted into the deal.

Speaking on Liveline last year, Duffy hinted at his departure, saying that his 2019 contract negotiations would be his last with RTÉ.

“The way I look at it is my negotiations in 2019 which will go on now to 2025 are more than likely the last time I’ll be negotiating with RTE, unless God decides otherwise or RTE decides otherwise,” he said in June. “I’m not getting any younger.”

That’s a wrap from us this morning, thank you for listening and to all our Liveline listeners throughout the year?@brendanMrsBrown @joeliveline pic.twitter.com/B8CB6iRWLF

— Liveline (@rteliveline) December 24, 2023

Duffy revealed in 2016 that he was in negotiations with Newstalk, but stuck with the national broadcaster as he said: “I believe in RTÉ [and] I believe in public service”.

The highest earners at the broadcaster were published in January, with Duffy second behind Ryan Tubridy.

Speaking at the time of the salaries being published, RTÉ Deputy Director-General Adrian Lynch confirmed that details of RTÉ’s highest paid presenters will be published annually as part of RTÉ’s Annual Report.

Mr Lynch added: “While RTÉ has committed to reducing the cost of its highest paid presenters to ensure that no contractors or employees will earn more than the Director-General, our presenters play an important role in RTÉ’s provision of vital news, information and entertainment to audiences right across the country and enable us to generate commercial revenue which is essential to fund RTÉ’s public services.”