Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know that the overall number on Airbnb is higher nationally and in Dublin, but I am referring to the ones in Dublin that are not owner-occupied. Those statistics are provided on a website. I believe they are accurate, although I hope to be corrected.

It is wrong that landlords can make an excessive profit off people. In particular, many young people cannot live in Dublin anymore. They do not have the money. They are earning less than €30,000 per year. Perhaps three or four of them are living together, but they have to get out. This will place pressure on commuter zones. As such, I welcome the Minister's comments on Airbnb and I will return to this matter in the debate when I will bring more facts and more of the research that I have done in my small way to inform the debate. Were the Minister to restrict Airbnb lettings in Dublin to owner-occupied homes only, it would release approximately 1,200 homes. I have examined cities like Berlin and New York, which have moved on this issue because it is negatively affecting the letting market, especially for families. I am sure that the Department has this information already, but I will share it with the Minister.