Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the sale of paintings by the Alfred Beit Foundation; the action her Department can take on any sale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24010/15]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In the past few weeks, since the media began to publicise the fact the Alfred Beit Foundation intended to sell quite a number of significant art works, including pieces by Rubens, there has been extensive public reaction and growing public concern about the fact that these art works, if sold, will pass out of the country and that the proceeds will be used to maintain Russborough House on an ongoing basis which many see as an unsustainable action. We would like to hear what the Minister intends to do about the matter.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The sale of these paintings is a matter for the committee of management of the Alfred Beit Foundation which owns and operates Russborough House. My Department has no function in the administration or sale of these art works. However, I did meet on Tuesday night with the chairperson of the Alfred Beit Foundation and two other trustees. I asked the chairperson if it would be possible to delay the sale or consider withdrawing the paintings from auction to provide some time in whcih to explore all other possible options that would involve my Department and the Office of Public Works. The trustees declined to either delay or cancel the sale, citing the fact that they would incur a liability of £1.4 million sterling for breaking an agreement with the auction house handling the sale, with which they entered a contract several months ago. I was only informed last month of the decision on the sale, several months after the foundation had entered into an agreement with the auction house to have the paintings sold. The fact remains that my Department does not have the discretionary funds necessary - believed to be in the order of €12 million - to buy the paintings. I will, however, continue to see if other possible options can be explored. This will be very difficult, given that the sale is to proceed next month.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am concerned about the Minister's response. First and foremost, we understand from media reports that the Department was aware as far back as 2013 of the difficulties at Russborough House, although Deputy Heather Humphreys was not Minister at the time, and that Government aid was sought. What we are looking at is a situation in which, to meet the ongoing demand for about €1 million per annum, it has been decided to sell, if not the family silver, art works which were intended to be retained at Russborough House. There is a lot of public confusion about what the position is between the Alfred Beit Foundation and the State. It would useful, therefore, if in the course of this debate we were to clarify for the public that the 17 masterpieces bequeathed to the National Gallery of Ireland are in it and secure. Nonetheless, there continues to be public concern about the works retained at Russborough House. It cannot continue selling art works in order to maintain the house. I put it to the Minister that she does have a responsibility in that regard.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Alfred Beit Foundation met the former Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht a number of years ago. I am not aware that the specifics of the sale were discussed in 2013, but I want to be very clear that I was only informed of the decision last month. That was the first time I met the chairperson of the foundation, several months after it had entered into an agreement with Christie's to have the paintings sold. During my meeting with the chairperson on Tuesday evening I made it clear that it would have been preferable if the trustees had come to me before making their decision to sell the paintings. The fact that they are now in an auction house in London makes this, as I said, a very difficult situation to unravel. Regardless of this, the fact remains that the Alfred Beit Foundation is an independent trust and I cannot instruct it on how it should do its business. I draw the Deputy's attention to what it stated in a press release yesterday:

The Alfred Beit Foundation (ABF) is the owner of the relevant paintings at the centre of the current sales; these paintings were not left to the State by the Beits ... Before any sales plans were made, the perilous financial situation at Russborough...

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I do not live that far away from Russborough House and I am well aware of what goes on there. I agree with the Minister that a great job has been done. However, the position is unsustainable, given that the cost of running Russborough House is €1 million per annum and the shortfall is of the order of €400,000. Rather than wringing our hands, An Taisce has come forward with a proposal that offers a solution to break the impasse. I recommend it to the Minister and ask whether she will take seriously the proposal made by Russborough House - to bring together the National Gallery of Ireland and all those interested in the art works to form a formal proposal to save the art works remaining in Russborough House.

On the art works in Christie's, I put it to the Minister that were she to engage directly with the Afred Beit Foundation and, on foot of a commitment from the Government to provide ongoing support - it must be remembered that the foundation has received a lot of Government funding to date - were she and the foundation to approach Christie's, I am sure a negotiated settlement could be arrived at whereby the art works could be recovered, brought back to the State and kept at Russborough House, as intended by Sir Alfred and Lady Beit.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | 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.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Otherwise they probably would be sold as well.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

They are safe. They are in the National Gallery.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I know that they are safe.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

They are safe. He donated those to the State. That is what we must be clear about. We own those.

The Alfred Beit Foundation itself is responsible. Its memorandum and articles of association, which I have gone through in great detail and which Sir Alfred Beit himself, and his good wife, Lady Beit, signed, clearly states that it may "sell, lease or otherwise deal with or dispose of the whole or part of the property or assets of the Foundation". We must respect the trust that was set up by Sir Alfred Beit.

I met two trust members, including the chairperson. They do this on a voluntary basis. As the Deputy will be aware, they give a lot of their time to the running of Rossborough House.