Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

These are the logistical problems that exist. Ms Ní Mhurchú is just two and a half miles from her nearest town or village but what would the situation be if it was a distance of four miles or five miles? There is a rumour that there is supposed to be school transport for all but that is not the case when you try to get it for someone. How are people meant to get to the local shop to get a loaf of bread and simple things like that? They are far away from medical services and everything else. The Government should target something else and leave these people alone. Senator Malcolm Byrne suggested that we go back and start again. That is what I am advising the committee to do. I am in favour of going back to the drawing board. I am appealing to the Government to please leave the short-term lets and Airbnb properties alone. They are just at the start of the season. This will go on for months. There needs to be a suspension of this process and clarification given to those with Airbnb properties as soon as possible to allow them to continue this year. This is not just about Airbnbs; it is about the small pubs and villages and whatever else. It is about the small things. Communities are dying. Little villages are dying as I speak and this Bill will kill them further. We need clarity on this because we are moving into the season in which those with an Airbnb make a few pounds and have control of their houses. These houses are only suitable for use as Airbnbs; they are not suitable to provide social housing for families. I am appealing to all present to go back to the drawing board and try something else because this is not fair or just. It is hurting people who are depending on this little income to keep them living in rural Ireland. It is wrong.

Maybe one size does not fit all. It may be the case that this would work up here in Dublin. Talking about housing in Dublin, the trouble started when the Government did away with bedsits. It should bring back bedsits and start with something like that but leave the people in rural Ireland who were set up for this alone. There is not many of them. There is no way in the world that 12,000 homes for long-term lets would result from this. We need to go back to the drawing board and try something else, such as building houses or doing something about the tax on long-term lets. Focusing on Airbnbs is not the way to go. It is not realistic. I thank the Cathaoirleach for the time.