Abbey Theatre

Lobbying Organisation Abbey Theatre

Date published 21 May, 2023

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Arts

Period 1 Jan, 2023 to 30 Apr, 2023

Specific Details Communications with Public Representatives in relation to the Business Case for the Redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre connected to Project Ireland 2040

Intended results To update key Government Ministers in relation to the progress of the Abbey Theatre Redevelopment project. To secure support for the continued progress of the Business Case for the Redevelopment through Ministerial Approval to the External Assurance phase.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Abbey Theatre Board Director: Dr Frances Ruane, Abbey Theatre Co-Directors: Caitríona McLaughlin and 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.

Phone call (1)

Verbal invitation to attend the Good Friday Agreement Commemorative Event at the Abbey Theatre

Event / Reception (1)

Commemorative event for the Good Friday Agreement 25 year anniversary held at the Abbey Theatre on 2 April 2023.

Email (1)

Email invitation to attend a briefing on the Abbey Theatre Redevelopment issued following the Good Friday commemorative event

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)

Micheál Martin Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Mary Lou McDonald TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael McGrath Minister (Department of Finance)

Darragh O'Brien Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)