The Government lost a vote in the Seanad this afternoon on whether or not to call in Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys on the sale of the paintings from the Albert Beit collection.

The proposal was carried by a single vote.

The Seanad was suspended until 4.30pm. The minister is now appearing to discuss the paintings.

Ms Humphreys told the Upper House she cannot instruct the Alfred Beit Foundation on how to do its business as it is an independent trust.

She told the Seanad that she had made it clear that it would have been advisable for the trustees to have come to her before deciding to sell a number of paintings.

She said she had been informed of the decision months after it had been made.

She also reiterated that the trustees had declined to delay the sale of the paintings as it would incur a fee of £1.4m from the auction house.

She said the paintings had been in storage for 20 years.

The minister also pointed out that 17 paintings had been donated in 1985 by the foundation to the State.

Ms Humphreys said she understands trustees of the Alfred Beit Foundation met her predecessor in April 2013 and were clear on the challenges facing them.

She said she understands this involved a general discussion on all options to maximise support including possible philanthropic support.

However, she said she is not aware if the specifics of this particular sale were discussed and she said she was only informed of the decision last month - several months after the foundation entered into the agreement to have the paintings sold.