There are five new mentors who over the coming months will source songs and singers with a view to representing Ireland in Baku, Azerbaijan next May.
The five mentors are:
Showbusiness agent and choreographer; Julian Benson
Music producer, songwriter and The Brilliant Things member; Greg French
Producer and former Popstars and You're A Star judge; Bill Hughes
Singer and songwriter Edele Lynch of Bewitched and Barbarellas
Eurovision Song Contest winner in 1992; Linda Martin
The mentors' five chosen songs will be performed for the first time by their acts on The Late Late Show; Eurosong 2012 on 24th of February 2012.
The winner will once again be decided by a combination of public vote and regional jury.
Commenting, RTÉ Eurovision Co-ordinator Julian Vignoles said: "As was the case in previous years RTÉ wanted to offer the Irish public a say in deciding who Ireland's Eurovision entry should be. We felt last year's mentoring process was successful in delivering five strong acts which could represent Ireland."
"This year our five mentors represent all aspects of the Irish music/entertainment industry and have already begun their search for the act which will deliver another strong performance for Ireland at the Eurovision. The mentors are currently sourcing their acts and songs and a number of acts including Jedward have been approached by the mentors to take part in the contest."
Details on the five acts and songs will be announced in the New Year. It is understood that Jedward will probably be one of the five acts, and that former winner of Europe's favourite TV show Linda Martin will be their mentor.
Jedward will be hoping to join a distinguished line up of artists who have represented Ireland twice in the contest, namely Johnny Logan, Linda Martin and Niamh Kavanagh, all of whom won the contest, as well as another set of brothers The Swarbriggs who competed in the 1975 and 1977 contests.
