The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has upheld a complaint against a performance from 'The Voice of Ireland' on RTÉ.

The BAI said the dance routine had "clear sexual overtones" and "significant sexualised elements".

Danica Holland sang Lady Gaga's hit 'Do Want U Want' to the backdrop of raunchy moves by dancers back in March.

The complainant said the dance routine which accompanied the performance was "unsuitable" for young children.

It questioned how RTÉ would sanction such a dance routine at 6:30pm.

The producers of the programme, Shinawil, responded by saying that public attitudes to matters of sexuality have changed dramatically in recent decades in Ireland - and that the dancers in the show were never sexually explicit.

RTÉ said the dance routines on the programme are an intrinsic part of the presentation and entirely justified in the context of the song.

However, the BAI said the nature and timing of the programme was such that it constituted 'family viewing' and regard should be had to the likelihood that children would be watching.

The committee found that the programme did not demonstrate due care "appropriate for the time broadcast and the audience viewing."

It added that the 4-17 year-old audience comprised 12.1% of the total audience.