Claire Byrne's move to Newstalk was in works for months - and will give her freedom to engage in more commercial work

"Byrne will leave RTÉ later this year and will take over the show currently anchored by Pat Kenny, the broadcaster announced yesterday. While it came as a shock in radio circles, the move was anything but an overnight thing. Byrne was in talks with Newstalk for several months before the carefully choreographed announcement. According to sources, there was no falling out between Byrne and RTÉ."

"Newstalk will also give Byrne much more freedom to engage in commercial work outside of the radio studio, such as MC-ing events. Notably, Byrne dropped her agent, Noel Kelly, after the payments controversy at RTÉ. Mr Kelly continues to represent Pat Kenny. Last night, Byrne's former colleague Joe Duffy described her as "one of the best and bravest", while tweeting that Kenny staying on Newstalk for weekends was "genius"."

Claire Byrne will leave RTÉ later this year to take over the show currently anchored by Pat Kenny on Newstalk. Byrne negotiated with Newstalk for several months and will continue on RTÉ radio until after the presidential election before taking extended leave. Newstalk will allow Byrne greater freedom for outside commercial work such as MC-ing events. Byrne dropped her agent Noel Kelly after the RTÉ payments controversy; Mr Kelly still represents Pat Kenny. The Tubridy payments scandal prompted a salary cap at RTÉ. Newstalk owner Bauer Media sees recruiting Byrne and retaining Kenny as an investment to extend reach across seven days.

Read at Irish Independent