The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, John Perry, has called on the Minister for the Environment, Martin Cullen, to intervene immediately to buy Lissadell House in Co Sligo for the people of Ireland.
The 19th century mansion was the childhood home of the Countess Markievicz.
It is believed the sale of the property to a private investor is expected in the next 24 hours.
Mr Perry, who is a Fine Gael TD for Sligo Leitrim, says the house, its contents and 400 acres of land could be bought for €5.5m.
He said claims by the minister that it would cost over five times that amount were inaccuarate
