Music
Dustin, a popular turkey puppet from Irish TV, has been named on the country's Eurovision shortlist.
The fowl, who appears on RTE, will perform the track 'Irlande Douze Points' for TV viewers later this month, who will then decide whether it should represent the nation at the annual music contest.
Bookmakers have installed Dustin as an odds-on favourite to win the nomination.
However, the song choice has angered several songwriters, who have claimed the entry 'trivialises' the contest.
Songwriter Shay Healy told The Stage: "Whatever may be wrong with Eurovision, or with recent Irish entries, this is certainly not the solution."
Phil Coultier, who wrote the Eurovision hits 'Congratulations' and 'Puppet On A String', said: "You have to stand by quality.
"If you start chasing every fad, you will trivialise the whole thing and end up in a situation where the hairdresser is more important than the songwriter."
Composer Frank McNamara added: "I’m not sure whether the selection committee is giving a two-fingered salute to the country’s songwriters, the Irish public, or the song contest.
"It may be a desperate bid to conjure up some sort of gimmick, but it’s beyond a joke, as far as I’m concerned."
The fowl, who appears on RTE, will perform the track 'Irlande Douze Points' for TV viewers later this month, who will then decide whether it should represent the nation at the annual music contest.
Bookmakers have installed Dustin as an odds-on favourite to win the nomination.
However, the song choice has angered several songwriters, who have claimed the entry 'trivialises' the contest.
Songwriter Shay Healy told The Stage: "Whatever may be wrong with Eurovision, or with recent Irish entries, this is certainly not the solution."
Phil Coultier, who wrote the Eurovision hits 'Congratulations' and 'Puppet On A String', said: "You have to stand by quality.
"If you start chasing every fad, you will trivialise the whole thing and end up in a situation where the hairdresser is more important than the songwriter."
Composer Frank McNamara added: "I’m not sure whether the selection committee is giving a two-fingered salute to the country’s songwriters, the Irish public, or the song contest.
"It may be a desperate bid to conjure up some sort of gimmick, but it’s beyond a joke, as far as I’m concerned."
More: Music, Eurovision 2008
More Music News
Singles Reviews
Aiden Grimshaw: 'Is This Love' reviewThe singer achieves the seemingly impossible with his debut single.
Music Interviews
Scissor Sisters on new LP, One DirectionWe chat to Babydaddy and Del Marquis about the band's fourth record.
The Sound
Summer festivals: The 15 best for 2012We select our favourite UK and Europe festivals for this summer.
Album Reviews
Paloma Faith: 'Fall To Grace' reviewThe singer's second album is worthy of its own Adele moment.
