Dr Jim McDaid was among a group of senior officials from the Irish and Scottish governments and football associations to present the joint Euro 2008 bid to UEFA today.
Minister for Sport McDaid was accompanied by Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell and Sports Minister Mike Watson in unveiling the bid's stand at the UEFA Congress in Stockholm.
The party, accompanied by FAI and SFA representatives, met UEFA president Lennart Johansson, among others, in a bid to lend political weight to the joint bid to host the finals. Comprehensive details of the bid will be presented to delegates tomorrow.
McConnell, who said the difficulties within the SPL would not affect the bid, said the worldwide reputation of Irish and Scottish fans for friendliness was a major plus point in the campaign.
He said: "Everyone I have spoken to has mention their great reputation, we have incredible football supporters, and that is so important with the game having been tarred by football-related violence in the past.
"UEFA are very astute and know how to organise a competition to get maximum commercial benefit and how to develop the game into new commercial markets.
"Scotland and Ireland have fantastic connections all over the world in a way the other bids do not, and from a commercial point of view I genuinely believe from UEFA's point of view ours is the best one," he said.
Scotland and Ireland are up against six other bids to host the event. Full bid documents must be submitted to UEFA by May 31st.
