The Arts Council and Minister for Arts Heather Humphreys have a "mutually antagonistic" relationship, The Irish Times has learned. Relations are said to have been strained since the allocation given to the council in last month's budget.

The souring in the relationship is believed to have been initiated when chairwoman Sheila Pratschke issued a critical statement the day after the budget, outlining her disappointment at the "devastating blow to artists and arts organisations . . . struggling to survive and present work of the highest quality to people across Ireland".

Ms Humphreys is understood to have contacted Ms Pratschke by telephone and “sharp words” were exchanged. One source alleged the Minister had threatened not to provide any additional funding after the conversation. Ms Humphreys’s spokeswoman insisted that was not an “accurate reflection of the conversation”. She said: “The Minister explained how she secured an additional €2.5 million for the Arts Council in the budget.”

The board of the Arts Council met on October 23rd and the chairwoman is understood to have detailed her frustration with the Minister.