Ireland's public broadcaster RTÉ sees no easy route back to Eurovision under present circumstances. In remarks reported on 31 October, director general Kevin Bakhurst said a return would be difficult without a substantial change in conditions in Gaza and the West Bank or in Israel's participation in the competition.
What to know
- RTÉ had already said Ireland will neither enter nor broadcast Eurovision 2027.
- Kevin Bakhurst says returning would be difficult under current conditions.
- The Irish broadcaster maintains its wider working relationship with the EBU.
Ireland's Eurovision 2027 absence is already official
These are further remarks on an existing decision, not a fresh withdrawal. RTÉ announced in September that Ireland would neither compete in nor broadcast Eurovision 2027. The latest interview provides more detail on the reasoning and suggests that the broadcaster sees no straightforward path back at present.
Bakhurst also indicated that an EBU decision to exclude Israel would be difficult because its member broadcasters have differing views. He emphasised that RTÉ's relationship with the European Broadcasting Union remains positive. Disagreement over this contest's participation does not amount to RTÉ leaving the EBU.
Ireland is absent from the EBU's confirmed 2027 participant field. Any change would require a new formal statement from RTÉ or the organisers. The comments are significant as an explanation of the broadcaster's position, but they do not themselves announce a new policy or set a date for Ireland's return.
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Last verified: 2 November 2026.
