The Irish Independent has revealed that RTE, the Irish broadcaster responsible for the country’s involvement with Eurovision, spent 182,000 euros on their 2009 entry Sinead Mulvey and Black Daisy. The band finished 11th in the second semi-final, which wasn’t good enough to book a spot in the final.
An itemized list of expenses, obtained by the newspaper under a Freedom of Information regulation, shows that organizers wasted invested sunk 24,710 euros in a hotel for the 15-member delegation, 6,761 euros in flights, 9,540 euros in food and entertainment, 1,400 euros in visas, and 978 euros in airport transfers. 978 euros? Are u serial? Wiwi suggests that next year the delegation try taking a bus.
An unnamed spokesman from the RTE defended the Eurovision expenses, noting that the Irish enjoyed seven hours of programs as a result of their participation. “All these programmes attracted substantial audiences. All costs in Moscow were carefully controlled,” he said. “In all cases, the cheapest possible flights were booked. The hotel costs reflect the going rate in Moscow.”
