The poet, Michael Hartnett, has a special place in my heart, not only because of his poetry but because his maternal home place in Camas, outside Raheenagh, is a part of the world that I know very well. When the Minister was launching the Éigse Michael Hartnett Literary and Arts Festival earlier this year, he acknowledged that there is a need for capital funding for arts in this country. The Limerick Leader reported that he said he wanted to help to develop arts centres, theatres and other artistic infrastructure around the country. I am delighted he said that. However, in a letter to an arts space in Dublin yesterday, the Minister said something completely different. He passed the buck to local authorities and washed his hands of any responsibility for his Department. Why would he be so positive in his message in Limerick and so negative and dismissive of an arts centre in Dublin? Are we to take it that his interest in the arts is only confined to areas outside Dublin?

The Deputy should reflect on that comment, to be honest. I have been here a long time and have heard some personal comments. What the Deputy said is beneath her. I take offence.

Answer the question, please. The Minister is so dismissive.

I am not dismissing anything. My Department has not been approached formally by anybody with regard to this.

The Department has been approached. There was a letter.

Deputy Sherlock, allow the Minister to respond.

The Deputy has already insulted me. By the way, my parents lived next door to Michael Hartnett. I know him and his legacy quite well.

There are two methods by which properties are acquired by the State. One is through the local authority. The Deputy is a former member of Dublin City Council. The other method is through the Office of Public Works. I mentioned this issue last night to the Minister of State, Deputy Moran. There is no provision for my Department to acquire properties. The Deputy and I know that. There is no methodology by which my Department can acquire properties. There are mechanisms for my Department to support properties that are either in the charge and ownership of local authorities or in voluntary and community groups. Any organisation that is in the charge of a local authority, voluntary group or charity can come to my Department.

The Deputy is right that we have plans for 2026 around arts centres. They will be properties that are not owned by the national cultural institutions. They will not be eligible to apply. The Deputy might reflect on her comment. I hope she comes back in a second time. I think an awful lot of people in Dublin and I regret she has made such a comment. Perhaps she would like to come back in.

You had the opportunity.

There is no allowance for that.

There is no facility for that.

I take it she does not want to come back. She will not apologise.

I am working on the basis of what was said to The Complex.

That is fine.