Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said he "fully understands" the decision taken by Ireland's national broadcaster RTE to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) agreed to allow Israel to participate amid the conflict in Gaza.However, Northern Ireland's leaders gave opposing views of the decision.Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it "won't make a jot of difference" to the situation in the Middle East.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said he "fully understands" the decision taken by Ireland's national broadcaster RTE to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) agreed to allow Israel to participate amid the conflict in Gaza.However, Northern Ireland's leaders gave opposing views of the decision.Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said it "won't make a jot of difference" to the situation in the Middle East.