He made the assertion at a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Sport, touting Dublin as a potential host city.

Ross was responding to a question by the Frank Feighan, a Senator for the Fine Gael party, regarding a potentially all-Ireland bid for the Commonwealth Games.

He claimed Ireland should be interested in becoming a major sports tourism destination, suggesting major events offered opportunities for the country.

“We’re now thinking in these terms and it’s very, very exciting,” Ross said, according to the Irish Times.

“Let’s think about the Olympics.

“I remember Gay Mitchell suggesting it some years ago, and he was laughed to scorn, now it’s a real, realistic prospect.

“If we build up these stadiums and we are a credible bidder, which we obviously are if we win this bid, I think the sky’s the limit.”

Mitchell, a former Lord Mayor of Dublin, had investigated the possibility of an Olympic bid back in 1992.

It was claimed he was thinking of bidding for the Olympics in 2016, which were ultimately awarded to Rio de Janeiro. 

Mitchell established several working groups to pursue the idea, but it ultimately dismissed by experts. 

Dublin were also one of 13 cities to bid for the 1936 Olympics.

The event was awarded by the International Olympic Committee at its 30th Session in Lausanne in 1931.

The Games were awarded to Berlin, who received 43 votes.

Barcelona were given 16 and the other cities, including Dublin, did not earn a single vote.  

Ross’ claim came after the Irish Parliament passed a bill to support the bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Ireland, who have never hosted the tournament, face the challenge of France and South Africa.

The winner is due to be named by World Rugby following a meeting of its ruling Council in London on November 15.

The prospect of an Irish bid for the Olympics remains a distant one, following the International Olympic Committee’s vote at its Extraordinary Session this week to award both the 2024 and 2028 editions together.

It is expected that Paris will host the 2024 Olympics and Los Angeles will stage the 2028 edition.

The decision is due to be confirmed at the IOC Session in Lima on September 13.

It would leave the 2032 Games as the next possibility for Ireland to host the Summer Olympics, with the event currently slated to be awarded in 2025.

Brisbane was among those who had been exploring the possibility of launching a bid for the event in 2028, but could now eye the 2032 edition.