The long-running controversy over Ireland's entry for this years Eurovision Song Contest has come to a close following news from Latvia yesterday that the song has been cleared to enter.
After a meeting of the European Broadcasting Union in Riga it was announced that all of this year's entries had been deemed original.
It means Donegal's Mickey Joe Harte's We've Got The World will definitely be Ireland's entry this year.
It had been feared the song might not be allowed to go forward because of similarities between it and Denmark's 2000 winning entry, Fly On The Wings of Love.
However, an official from the EBU confirmed last night that the song had been deemed original. It was written by Keith Molloy and Martin Brannigan.
Mr Kevin Linehan, commissioning editor for music and head of the RTÉ Delegation to Eurovision 2003, said: "RTÉ is delighted with the outcome, particularly for the composers, Keith Molloy and Martin Brannigan.
"We are pleased that the EBU agrees with RTÉ's view that We've Got the World is an original composition. RTÉ Television has stood by the decision of the Irish public who chose this song, as well as the songwriters and the song itself. We look forward to Mickey Harte taking the stage in Riga on May 24th."
A spokeswoman for the EBU said while the originality of a number of this year's entries had been challenged all would be allowed to go forward and represent their respective countries.
It also emerged yesterday that chart-topping duo Tatu will represent Russia at this year's contest. The Russian teenagers have already enjoyed success this year with All The Things You Said. The song topped the charts in the UK and Ireland.
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