Abbey Theatre

Lobbying Organisation Abbey Theatre

Date published 28 Jun, 2018

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Arts

Period 1 Sep, 2017 to 31 Dec, 2017

Specific Details Invitation to government ministers to attend Abbey Theatre Gala Dinner

Intended results Avail of opportunity to update a key stakeholder on the affairs of the Abbey Theatre

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Dr Frances Ruane, Chair of the board of the Abbey Theatre

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Informal communication (1)

Informally invited Taoiseach (who was in the Abbey Theatre) if he could accept an invitation to the Abbey Theatre Gala Dinner and if not could the Tanaiste be invited.

Phone call (1)

Invited Tanaiste to attend Abbey Theatre Gala Dinner. She accepted.

Meeting (1)

Formal meeting with Minister of AH&G. Briefed her on affairs at the Abbey Theatre. Discussion topics: Vacancy on Selection Committee and progress in the preparation of a Business Case for the proposed new theatre.

Meeting (1)

Meeting with Asst Sec of Department AH&G, Mr Feargal O'Coigligh to discuss names and approaches to possible Selection Committee members. Also requested Departmental feedback to draft business case which was due from consultants.

Email (1)

Emailed new Minister to congratulate her on appointment and indicated that Abbey Theatre Chair would be in touch in due course to provide a briefing on the Abbey Theatre

Event / Reception (1)

Met with the new Minister of AH&G at National Library of Ireland launch re Heaney Exhibition

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Frances Fitzgerald Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)

Fergal O'Coigligh Assistant Secretary (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)

Josepha Madigan Minister (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)