RTÉ has no plans to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest, Director General Kevin Bakhurst has confirmed.
Speaking to reporters at Leinster House where he was meeting incoming Oireachtas Media Committee chair Alan Kelly, Mr Bakhurst addressed questions over Israel's participation in this year's song contest in Basel, Switzerland.
"It's very complicated," he said, adding that while RTÉ has sought a broader discussion with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), it is not considering pulling out.
"I don't want to undermine the Israeli public service broadcaster," he added, noting that broadcaster Kan is under significant pressure from the Israeli government.
Alan Kelly said he does not think Israel should be allowed to compete in Eurovision this year, but it is "very difficult" for Ireland to withdraw.
He said: "I think it's very difficult to withdraw as well, to be fair.
"I believe that all cultural events internationally, indeed all sports events internationally, we need to treat Israel in the way in which they deserve to be treated.
"They can't be accepted as participating and being part of the norm, because the way in which they are behaving, obviously as far as I'm concerned, is absolutely disgraceful.
"There was one rule in relation to how they (the EBU) treated Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, and I think Israel should be treated the same in relation to the Eurovision.
"I think the decision of Mr Bakhurst in relation to this was the right one, if maybe it's obviously all coming a little bit late, given the proximity to the event."
On Wednesday, Mr Bakhurst released a statement saying he was "appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East" and confirmed that RTÉ had asked the EBU for a discussion on Israel's inclusion in the contest.
He reiterated that request today but said no other broadcasters have contacted him directly in response to his comments.
He said he has raised the issue with EBU Director General Noel Curran in recent months.
Yesterday's comments came after members of the RTÉ sub-branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) wrote to Mr Bakhurst, calling on the broadcaster to oppose Israel's involvement in the song contest.
Ireland and Israel are scheduled to perform in the second Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final, which takes place on 15 May.
Additional Reporting: Press Association
