RTE has said there will not be a fresh round of pay cuts for its highest paid stars and other staff.

A number of contractors and other freelance employees of the broadcaster have been contacted in recent weeks seeking reductions in pay of up to 10%.

However, RTE said the cuts were part of the broader package of cost reductions which were introduced last year, and were now extending across all sections of the station.

A spokesman said: "The idea of a 'latest round of cuts' is a misnomer.

"A key component of RTE's programme of cost reductions last year was the stepped pay cuts that were applied to RTE staff pay following staff agreement. The percentage cut depended on level of pay.

"RTE applied a similar and a consistent approach to all service providers and contractors, relative to fee levels of contract values etc.

"The benefits that RTE gained from these cost disciplines are benefits that we would seek to retain across our business on an ongoing basis, so therefore that approach continues in an ongoing way."

The broadcaster said it was likely that certain people, who had been contacted in recent weeks or months, simply had not received the original cut.

Sources in the station had feared another round of swingeing cuts to salaries, particularly at the highest levels and amongst presenters and other stars.

The original set of pay cuts were introduced early last year in response to a 30% fall in revenues at the public service broadcaster.

Several of RTE's top earners, including Miriam O'Callaghan, Pat Kenny, Eamon Dunphy and Marian Finucane, had already volunteered to take a 10% pay cut.

About 350 managers at the station also had earning cuts of between 5% and 17% applied to their packages as "performance pay" was eliminated.