Jordan Grand Prix team owner Eddie Jordan has been appointed the Government's Tourism Sporting Ambassador as part of a drive to attract major sporting events to Ireland.

Announcing the appointment, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr James McDaid, said it was an acknowledgment of the work Jordan has already achieved in promoting Ireland. "Eddie has been promoting Irish sport, tourism and business for a number of years, and in some ways this role is in recognition for what he has already done to date. "However, we're also looking forward to the work that Eddie can do for Ireland in the future, for the benefit of Irish tourism and Ireland's status as an `island of sport' and a venue for big sporting events."

Speaking in Monaco yesterday, where the team is preparing for Sunday's grand prix, Jordan said he was delighted with the appointment and looking forward to his new role. "It's a great honour and a role I'm going to enjoy," he said. "Really, it's just an extension of everything we've been doing over the last eight years. We've always tried to promote Ireland through the image of Jordan's Irishness. It also adds credibility to the team, I think. It's recognition for all the opportunities we've taken up."

The requirements that will be made of the grand prix boss are unclear, although he said the most likely duties would be appearances at sporting occasions at which he would work to promote events in Ireland. "There are unbelievable opportunities," he said. "For example, the growth in golf weekends. There is room for huge growth there, which would put money into golf courses and hotels and local business. And because F1 is such a global sport and we're right in the middle of it, we're ideally placed to promote these things."