Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I draw the attention of the House to an auction taking place at Christie's auction house in London at 7 p.m. Three paintings that form part of the Alfred Beit collection are going under the hammer, namely, "Venus Supplicating Jupiter" by Reubens, "Piazza San Marco, Venice" by Guardi; and "The Piazzetta, Venice, with the Doge’s Palace" also by Guardi. They are being sold to fund an annual operational deficit in maintaining Russborough House and keeping it open to the public. I call on the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to intervene immediately to halt this auction. As it is taking place at 7 p.m, this is very urgent. We cannot allow our heritage to be sold off in this fashion. These paintings are being sold to fund the operational costs of Russborough House, which is open to the public. Any member of the public can go to view these wonderful historic paintings. We need to ensure that they remain in the country. In 2015, three paintings were withdrawn from auction and sold under a tax relief purchase scheme. This was done with the support of three private donors and then the paintings in question became part of the national collection at the National Gallery of Ireland. The proceeds of the sale were put into an endowment fund for Russborough House. I call on the Minister to intervene and to something similar today. It is essential that these works are kept in Ireland because they form part of our heritage and must remain accessible to the public. If the Minister does not intervene, not only will part of our artistic heritage leave the country but the ability of the Alfred Beit Foundation to attract private philanthropic donations in future will be affected if the collection is dissipated in this fashion. I would appreciate it if the Leader could raise it with the Minister in order to try to halt tonight's auction.