The call by the president of the GAA, Mr Seán Kelly, for the opening up of Croke Park to other games on specified occasions was welcomed in the Dáil by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.
"While it is not for me to instruct the GAA in how it conducts its affairs, I welcome this statement," said Mr O'Donoghue.
The Minister said that no conditions had attached to the Government's €40 million grant to the GAA for the development of Croke Park.
"The grant has been allocated to the GAA for Croke Park and the question of whether it will facilitate the IRFU and the FAI while Lansdowne Road is closed is a matter for the GAA to decide," the Minister said.
He was replying to the Labour spokesman, Mr Jack Wall, who referred to the proposed closure of Lansdowne Road between mid-2006 and the end of 2008 to facilitate its development.
Mr O'Donoghue said he would be deeply disappointed if any international fixtures were played outside the State while Lansdowne Road was closed for development.
"Since Croke Park has a capacity of 80,000, it would be of considerable benefit to the FAI and the IRFU if the GAA were to decide to facilitate them, but this is a matter for the GAA."
