Ryan Tubridy is RTE's top earning presenter, according to the latest figures released by the broadcaster.

The Late Late host was paid €495,000 in 2014.

Joe Duffy earned almost €417,000, Marian Finucane was paid €295,000, Sean O'Rourke got over €290,000 and Miriam O'Callaghan was paid over €240,000.

RTE says the salary bill for its top presenters has been reduced by 40% in recent years.

But RTE's Group Commercial Director Willie O'Reilly told the Last Word that competition sometimes drives up salaries: