In the latest nod to a new era of rules around branding and advertising for RTÉ personalities, he left no room for ambiguity – labelling the announcement an “ad” on social media.
The sports commentator shared a booking link to the event on social media along with the hashtag “ad”.
In a post on X, he said: “ I wouldn’t go to the #CostadelSol and not invite you.”
Morrissey (65) will be in Spain from October 1-8 at the Holiday World Polynesia Hotel, Benalmadena for what is advertised as “a week of great fun, great entertainment and plenty of laughs”.
Morrissey will be joined by a host of musicians and singers including Tommy Fleming, Sharon Shannon, The Galway Tenors, Paul Harrington, Kate Purcell and Patrick O’Sullivan.
The package costs €1,275 along with a tax charge of €65 per person sharing.
It includes return flights to Malaga, airport transfers, seven nights’ accommodation, breakfast and dinner each day, entertainment each afternoon, the services of a Killester Travel representative and on six of the seven evenings, Morrissey MC-ing throughout.
RTÉ has previously said presenters are required to get a line manager’s permission before entering into external brand deals.
Morrissey said he received permission from the national broadcaster. A register of interests and a register of external activities were launched for RTÉ staff in January. RTÉ has also imposed strict new governance rules concerning gifts given to contractors.
Presenters sent gifts worth over €100 by brands in the hope of social media coverage will be obliged to give them back or hand them over to RTÉ.
Some of RTÉ’s most high-profile presenters have carved out parallel earning opportunities as social media influencers.
Online personalities in Ireland must correctly label commercial content to comply with the Consumer Protection Act 2007 and the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland’s (ASAI) code.
The ASAI states: “If you provide a link on your social media channels to external websites, blogs or apps that contain advertising and you receive a benefit from this, your post should be clearly labelled as ‘#Ad’.
The Irish Independent has contacted RTÉ for comment.
