RTE newsreader Sharon Ni Bheolain has spoken out over the gender pay gap after it emerged her male co-anchor was earning 60,000 to 80,000 euro more than her salary.
Bryan Dobson and Ms Ni Bheolain present the Six One News bulletins as well as Leaders' Questions from Dail Eireann.
However, figures released by the broadcaster show that Mr Dobson is among its top 10 earners, with an annual salary of 195,816 euros in 2014 while his female counterpart earned significantly less.
When approached about the disparity in pay, Ms Ni Bheolain said the gap had "narrowed" in the past three years.
"I do recognise 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 was accurate....In return for a pay rise, I have also undertaken extra duties. I believe that I am being well remunerated, but for the record, my pay is still considerably less than that of Bryan's. I won't be commenting further," she told the Sunday Independent.
It is understood Mr Dobson, who has presented the main television news for RTE for more than 20 years, is moving to the broadcaster's flagship radio programme, Morning Ireland.
