Plans to stage 2012 Olympic events in Ireland at ‘advanced stage’

The Minister for Sport has confirmed plans are at advanced stage to try and stage sporting events in Ireland as part of the 2012 Olympics in London.

He told the Dáil today that such competitions could generate more than €140m for the Irish economy.

Martin Cullen confirmed a number of state agencies were already in talks with their UK counterparts.

“There's already been some bilateral discussions where we would run events in Dublin, maybe as a package to some events going on in the UK,” the minister said.