Taoiseach Says 'Whole Country Will Be Rooting' For Bambie Thug

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that "the whole country will be rooting" for Bambie Thug ahead of tonight's Eurovision final.

Bambie secured their place in tonight's final of the Eurovision Song Contest, with their entry Doomsday Blue bagging enough votes in semi final 1 this week. The singer is the first Irish artist to get passed the semi final stage since Ryan O'Shaughnessy in 2018.

"For the first time since 2018, Ireland is in the final of Eurovision - that is down to Bambie Thug", Mr Harris said. "They have been absolutely incredible. They have done the country absolutely proud". 

He continued, "I am so proud of them - as Taoiseach (premier) of this country - on the world stage, in front of a global audience doing Ireland proud". 

 "So I wish Bambie Thug every good luck tomorrow night. I know the whole country will be rooting for them". 

Speaking to Cork reporters, Simon Harris claimed that he knows "particularly Cork will be rooting for them". 

"We have a real chance and if we win the Eurovision, I’m quite sure Cork will have a very strong claim that if Cork won it, than maybe Cork should host it", the Taoiseach added. 

Elsewhere, Mr Harris also said that he hopes to bring the discussion regarding funding on a proposed event centre to Cork to a "conclusion" soon. 

"Cork needs its event centre and I’ve had conversations with coalition colleagues and others on this", he said.