Grant Thornton

Lobbying Organisation Grant Thornton

Date published 18 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Sports and Recreation

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details Irish American Events Limited (IAEL) and Aer Lingus College Football Classic Ireland - Five Game Series 2022 - 2026: Steering committee sought support from various government agencies to assist in funding the costs of these games

Intended results Secure funding from Tourism Ireland and other government agencies for a 5 year period

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity As relates to Grant Thornton - Michael McAteer (Managing Partner, Grant Thornton) as a member of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic Ireland - Five Game Series 2022 - 2026 Steering committee

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 AMERICAN EVENTS LIMITED

CRO number (if applicable) 562163

Company address 3RD FLOOR DAWSON HOUSE 29 DAWSON STREET DUBLIN 2, DUBLIN, IRELAND

Main business or activity Sports

Company website https://collegefootballireland.com/

Contact email address media@collegefootballireland.com

Contact phone number +353 (0) 1 2530 840

Contact address 3RD FLOOR DAWSON HOUSE 29 DAWSON STREET DUBLIN 2, DUBLIN, IRELAND

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Virtual Meeting (1)

Virtual meeting involving Aer Lingus College Football Classic Ireland - Five Game Series 2022 - 2026 Steering committee members and Jack Chambers, Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeltacht and Sport. Members of Steering committee: Michael McAteer (Managing Partner, Grant Thornton), Padraig O'Kane (CEO, Irish American Events Limited), Stephen Kavanagh (former executive, Aer Lingus, Neil Naughton (Steering Committee Chairman) (executive, Glen Dimplex). Presentation given on the Series (event profile, projected economic benefit, proposed public funds etc.) Steering Committee members sought support from the Minister in relation to obtaining support from government agencies to assist in funding the costs of the games. Grant Thornton is an associate partner of the Series. While the lobbying activity was by the Series Steering Committee on behalf of the Series itself, Irish American Events Limited (the entity that organizes the Series) is a client of Grant Thornton.

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.

Jack Chambers Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)