Grant Thornton

Lobbying Organisation Grant Thornton

Date published 17 Jan, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Budgetary matters

Period 1 Sep, 2019 to 31 Dec, 2019

Specific Details Attendence at meetings with relevant Government and party officials around the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) pre-budget submission. Grant Thornton’s attendees role was to explain the mechanics and tax impacts of the tax proposals made by ITBA in their pre-Budget submission.

Intended results Supporting the ITBA in their pre-Budget submission to influence measures in the 2019 Budget.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Sasha Kerins (re: Grant Thornton's role in this activity)

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? Yes

Client(s)

Client 1

Company name Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA)

CRO number (if applicable)

Company address ITBA, Greenhills, Kill, Co. Kildare

Main business or activity Representative Body

Company website https://itba.info/

Contact email address info@itba.ie

Contact phone number 00353 45 877 543

Contact address ITBA, Greenhills, Kill, Co. Kildare

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (2-5)

1. 18th September: Conor Phelan (Assistant Manager), Sasha Kerins (Partner) (both from Grant Thornton) joined members of ITBA Council (Christy Grassick & Derek Iceton), met with Michael McGrath (TD), Barry Cowen (TD) of Fianna Fail in the Dail re: ITBA’s budget submission. Grant Thornton’s attendees role to explain mechanics and tax impacts of tax proposals in ITBA's pre-Budget submission. 2. 25th September – Sasha Kerins (Grant Thornton Partner) joined members of ITBA Council (Christy Grassick, John McEnery, Derek Iceton), hosted by Deputy Martin Heydon (Fianna Gael Chairman & TD) and met with Minister Patrick O’Donovan in Department of Finance offices. Grant Thornton’s role to explain mechanics and tax impacts of tax proposals in ITBA's pre-Budget submission. Also by chance met Minister Paschal Donohoe in Department’s lobby and ITBA Chair presented him with copy of submission. Further details at https://www.theirishfield.ie/news-breeders-press-minister-for-tax-relief-497752/

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.

Michael McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Barry Cowen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Heydon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Patrick O'Donovan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Patrick O'Donovan Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Paschal Donohoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)