Abbey Theatre

Lobbying Organisation Abbey Theatre

Date published 19 Jan, 2024

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Arts

Period 1 Sep, 2023 to 31 Dec, 2023

Specific Details Communications in relation to the Redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre connected to Project Ireland 2040

Intended results To update key public officials on the Abbey Theatre redevelopment project and to secure support for the continued progress of the Business Case for the redevelopment.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Abbey Theatre Board Directors: Frances Ruane (Chair) and Múirne Laffan, Abbey Theatre Executive Director/Co Director: Mark O'Brien

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)

An informal discussion between Múirne Laffan and Senator Fintan Warfield occurred while attending an Opening Night performance at the Abbey Theatre on 3 September 2023.

Informal communication (1)

A brief conversation took place between Frances Ruane and Brian Murphy during an unscheduled meeting on 23 November 2023

Email (1)

An email to Brian Murphy following up on conversation of 23 November was issued by Frances Ruane on 19 December 2023

Informal communication (1)

A brief conversation took place between Frances Ruane and Katherine Licken on 7 December 2023 during an unscheduled meeting.

Email (2-5)

Two emails were issued to OPW staff during December 2023 to confirm, and to acknowledge the assistance of the Office of Public Works in the removal, restoration, and storage of The Abbey Stones.

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.

Fintan Warfield Senator (Seanad)

Brian Murphy Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)

Katherine Licken Secretary General (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Maurice Buckley Chairman (The Office of Public Works)

Rosemary Collier Assistant Secretary (The Office of Public Works)