"Seeks to build on Ireland's success in hosting major international sports events to date," the strategy was unveiled today by Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne and Minister of Sport Catherine Martin.

The framework lays out a calculated plan for submitting bids for significant international sporting events and for leveraging the advantages of hosting them in Ireland.

According to the statement, "Organising a significant international sporting event can present a number of advantages and opportunities, but it can also be expensive and dangerous.

Benefits can include long-term athletic, social, and financial gains as well as a short-term economic boost from direct tourism." The framework proposes '15 guiding principles' to assist the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in deciding whether to accept prospective bids.

Among these is the need that no more than two'mega events' take place in a five-year period.

"It is important that when we invest in major sports events we are clear about the benefits we wish to achieve from that investment," Martin stated.