Ms Moira Murrell:

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an Teachta Healy-Rae. Certainly, I have probably addressed these issues already and I outlined in my opening statement that, taking the Gaeltacht area, we have granted 80% of all the applications that have been made to us on the once-off rural housing. The Deputy also mentioned that these are very sensitive and fragile areas with many environmental and archaeological designations within them. We try very much to find a balance between sustainable planning development and being aware and very much trying to facilitate local people who are trying to provide homes for themselves. In the opening statement I also showed where quite a high number of these particular planning applications would appear to have been transitioning into permanent houses and homes in the Gaeltacht areas for people which is the objective which we are all trying to reach.

On the short-term lettings, I totally take the point that it is not something that is across the board. It is targeted in those areas where it is competing with permanent homes, is driving prices up and is taking homes away from the local population. I mentioned in this context the west Kerry Gaeltacht, where we are going in and examining the position. There will be cases which will be fine and will be perfectly acceptable to the planning authority but it certainly warrants an examination where it is going into direct competition with the local property market.