Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 July 2015
257. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans between now and October 2015 to ensure that the Beit paintings are not sold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27845/15]
View answerI welcomed the recent announcement of the Alfred Beit Foundation that it had taken the decision to postpone the sale of paintings, in light of my request and the emergence of Irish donors who are considering the purchase of some of the artworks. I understand this would involve the donation of artworks to an Irish cultural institution using Section 1003 tax relief. This is a very welcome development. It is a now a matter for the Foundation to work with potential donors to make an application under the Tax Acts.
The Alfred Beit Foundation is an independent Trust and I cannot instruct it on how to do its business.
