Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Minister and I disagree on that point. My question was whether the Government had the right of first refusal on the Yeats collection. It should be borne in mind that W.B. Yeats and his son Michael were distinguished Members of the Oireachtas. Yeats also did a great deal of work and spent a great deal of time in the National Library. Is it true that the State had first refusal on what are essentially priceless artefacts, papers and documents associated with one of the most famous - if not the most famous - artist Ireland has produced?

The Minister noted that the centenary of commemorations was the inspiration for Creative Ireland. While I accept that point, it should also be noted that the creative imagination that led on 1916 was the poetry of Yeats in English.

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