The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has released a statement following today’s news that RTÉ will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green CBE, has responded to RTÉ’s statement.
EBU responds to RTÉ
Following the news that RTÉ will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest due to be held in Burgas, the EBU have released a statement on the Eurovision website. Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest says:
We regret that RTÉ will not be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, but we fully respect their decision and recognise the huge contribution they have made to the Contest. They remain a valued part of our family and will be missed. The Eurovision Song Contest is at its best when broadcasters and their artists from different countries come together to share music, celebrate creativity and create connections between audiences. That power to bring people together is at the heart of what makes the Contest so special, and is even more important now in an increasingly difficult and divided world. All broadcasters decide on an annual basis to participate in the following year’s Contest. We will remain in dialogue with RTÉ and hope to welcome them back to the Contest in the future
The statement from Martin Green comes in response to RTÉ’s earlier messaging, outlining the broadcasters reasons for not participating in the 2027 Contest as well as the decision to not broadcast the competition. This also comes after the reply to the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, following their withdrawal from Eurovision earlier in the year.
RTÉ will not participate
Irish broadcaster RTÉ have confirmed that they will not be returning to the Eurovision Song Contest. The broadcaster has chosen to not participate in the upcoming 2027 edition, due to be held in Bulgaria. In a statement revealed by the Éirevision podcast, the broadcaster said:
RTÉ’s position regarding participation in the Eurovision Song Contest remains unchanged. RTÉ will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the competition. RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation cannot be justified given the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk. RTÉ also remains deeply concerned by the continued denial of independent access to international journalists to the territory”.
Ireland’s Eurovision journey
In 1965, Ireland made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest with Butch Moore and the song “Walking the Streets in the Rain”. The entry managed to place 6th. Since their debut, Ireland has participated 57 times (making the Grand Final 46 times). The nation has won the competition seven times, which is currently tied for the record of most wins.
Ireland’s latest Eurovision participation in 2025 saw them being represented by Norwegian singer EMMY with her song “Laika Party”. At the close of voting, Ireland would fail to qualify from the second semi-final. “Laika Part” was awarded 28 points – ultimately placing thirteenth. Irish broadcaster RTÉ announced that the country would be withdrawing from the Contest in 2026, following the December 2025 EBU General Assembly Vote.
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News source: EBU
Photo credit: EBU
Tim J 
Silvia Stifini