A method and system for efficiently directing interrupts is disclosed. In a computer system having multiple processors, a computer implemented method, upon detecting an interrupt directed to one of the processors, determines a policy for efficiently handling the interrupt. Upon invoking the policy, the interrupt is redirected according thereto to a second processor for handling. The policies include an I/O affinity policy, a local memory policy, and a reduced I/O intension policy. In a multiple processor environment, a computer based system efficiently handles an interrupt directed to one of the processors. The system includes an interrupt dispatching module for redirecting the interrupt from that processor to another processor, where the interrupt is handled. The system also includes an interrupt redirection policy module associated with the interrupt dispatching module. The policy module provides a policy for controlling interrupt redirection, which promotes efficient operation.