Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I have to be clear, I will repeat the point: the Alfred Beit Foundation is the owner of the relevant paintings at the centre of the current sales. I had a meeting with it and asked if it could approach Christie's to delay or postpone the sale. It was clearly said to me that it could not do so because if it did, it would incur a penalty of £1.4 million sterling for not proceeding with the sale as agreed. It stated to me that it was part of a masterplan and that it had not happened overnight. There are representatives of An Taisce and a number of organisations on the board of the Alfred Beit Foundation.

This has been discussed for the past two years, as the chairperson explained to me. They have looked at many different options. This was not an easy decision for them.

We must be thankful that we have 17 of the old masters' paintings in the National Gallery. Sir Alfred Beit donated those to the State, and that is clear.

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