Irish Equine Centre

Lobbying Organisation Irish Equine Centre

Date published 17 Sep, 2021

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 May, 2021 to 31 Aug, 2021

Specific Details The potential development of an equine health & welfare campus on the site of the Irish Equine Centre in Johnstown, Co. Kildare. The potential project involves funding from the Dept of Agriculture.

Intended results Approval for the latest costings for the project (€23.6m) as submitted to DAFM in May 2021 and support from DAFM for the project, including a commitment to assist with the project funding.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Sarah McNicholas

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.

Submission (1)

A written submission was made on the 26th May 2021 outlining the revised costings for the project of €23.6m. The submission was submitted by email to DAFM by Sarah McNicholas.

Virtual Meeting (1)

A virtual meeting was held on the 1st July 2021 involving management from the Irish Equine Centre, Horse Racing Ireland and personnel from DAFM. The submission previously sent to DAFM was discussed. The intention following the meeting was for DAFM to draw up a memo to be reviewed by the Minister for Agriculture.

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.

Kevin Smyth Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)