In the midst of RTÉ's ongoing scandal surrounding undeclared payments to Ryan Tubridy, The Late Late Show's new presenter, Patrick Kielty, has announced that he has signed a three-season deal to host the talk show, and will be paid €250,000 for each 30-show season.

Kielty's statement comes on the same day as members of the RTÉ Board and RTÉ Executive Board are appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, to face questions about the misstated payments to Tubridy.

Kielty, who is set to kick off his tenure as Late Late Show presenter in September, clearly outlined the salary he'll be receiving from RTÉ – noting that, although his contract allows him "to submit flight and accommodation expenses," he has "waived this."

"I've made it clear to RTÉ that I will be covering my own flights and accommodation costs," he continued. "I've also asked RTÉ to carbon offset my flights."

If additional shows outside the 30-show season are requested by RTÉ, Kielty has also stated that "they'll be paid on a pro-rata basis."

"I'm also receiving a one-off payment of €20,000 to cover the pre-production and rehearsals form now to September," he added.

"I genuinely hope this helps clarify things going forward," he concluded. "I can't wait to get started."

According to RTE.ie, RTÉ's Remuneration Committee are expected to discuss Kielty's pay deal at a meeting on Friday.

The show's previous host Ryan Tubridy's actual earnings from RTÉ totalled €511,667 in 2017, €545,000 in 2018, €545,000 in 2019, €522,500 in 2020, €515,000 in 2021, and €515,000 in 2022.

Kielty's decision to share details of his salary has been, for the most part, praised online.

"Events of recent days have eroded a significant amount of trust among the public," Colin McGrath, SDLP MLA for South Down, wrote online. "This statement (and its content) is an important step to rebuilding that trust."

Kerry councillor Jackie Healy-Rae, however, remarked: "I’m sure there is perfectly capable presenters who would do it for half of that!"