Negotiations between the Government and the Iveagh Trustees in London for the purchase of Farmleigh mansion and 78 acres of land on the edge of the Phoenix Park in Dublin are continuing.
A Government spokesman confirmed last night that discussions were at a "very delicate" stage but he did not expect an announcement to be made for a number of days. The Cabinet is understood to have authorised the OPW to bid up to £25m for Farmleigh.