asked the Taoiseach whether his statement when speaking to the Friends of the National Collection of Ireland, that the artistic conscience of the British is becoming uneasy at the retention of the Lane pictures, is his own opinion or an opinion based on negotiations which have taken place; and whether the Government has made recent representations for the return of the Lane collection; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lane Pictures Collection.
The statement to which the Deputy refers was an expression of my own opinion. Representations of an informal character have, in fact, been made to the British Government, urging the return of the Lane pictures, but, so far, these representations have produced no tangible result.