Ireland needs to put together an expert group to boost the country's chances of winning the Eurovision Song Contest, an MEP says.
Billy Kelleher believes the country needs to "get our act together" in order to win the annual contest.
Ireland's Lesley Roy failed to make it through last week's semi-finals.
Ireland has only made it through to the grand final once since 2014.
Despite Ireland's famed Eurovision success in the early 90s, it has now been 25 years since Eimear Quinn became the last Irish winner.
Fianna Fáil's MEP Billy Kelleher told Newstalk Breakfast Ireland is missing an opportunity.
He said: “Internationally, it has a huge audience… if Ireland was clever, it would use the Eurovision Song Contest not just to promote Ireland its ability in music and song… but also to promote the country itself.
“We’ve used the Ryder Cup, the Irish Opens, various sporting and cultural events… we have the Greening of Ireland on St Patrick’s week. I think the Eurovision Song Contest is an opportunity to also do that, and it comes around every year.
“You should be there to be competitive. And the great thing about winning is that you’d then have a chance to host it.”
Mr Kelleher believes the contest has been "contracted out" to RTÉ, who have a limited budget and resources.
As a result, he wants a group of experts - including those previously involved in the contest - to analyse “what type of music, what type of song” would give Ireland a fighting chance.
He believes Ireland should "seize the opportunity" the song contest provides, while also giving young artists an opportunity to show off their talent.
It comes after Italy emerged victorious from this year's contest on Saturday night, after last year's event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
