Galway Chamber

Lobbying Organisation Galway Chamber

Date published 17 Sep, 2020

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Economic Development and Industry

Period 1 May, 2020 to 31 Aug, 2020

Specific Details Due to the change in Government and new cabinet Ministers announced at the end of June 2020, our team sent a letter to the new Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin, to raise awareness on an issue we have previously lobbied around. The Issue specifically was related to Kylemore Abbey, one of our members who has had problems in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Intended results Advocated for the removal of barriers restricting Kylemore Abbey access to financial supports.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Kenneth Deery, Chief Executive Officer, Galway Chamber

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 Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden

CRO number (if applicable)

Company address Kylemore Abbey, Pollacappul, Connemara, Co. Galway

Main business or activity Hospitality

Company website https://www.kylemoreabbey.com/

Contact email address info@kylemoreabbey.com

Contact phone number +353 95 52001

Contact address

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

Letter was sent the 1st of July highlighting the strong performance of Kylemore Abbey and it's impact on tourism, employment and heritage in the West of Ireland. We noted the financial supports which the Abbey ought to have access to such as an Udaras na gaeltacht grant due to its location in Connemara however it is defined as having a non-gaeltacht address so didn't qualify.

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.

Catherine Martin Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)