Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 47:

In page 40, to delete line 17.

My amendment concerns rent pressure zones and short-term lets. Head 8 is about short-term lettings. When we discussed some issues related to this earlier in our meetings, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, told us that the measures aimed at regulating short-term lets would help address the problem of overconcentration of holiday homes as a result of unregulated short-term lettings in Gaeltacht communities. However, he is clearly not aware of the deficiencies in this Bill which exclude several rural communities, including some Gaeltacht areas, from any protection against unregulated short-term lets. Income from unregulated short-term lets is one of the drivers of a proliferation of holiday homes in some areas. To be clear, I am not making the case that there should be a blanket ban or a complete ban on short-term lets in any area. I am making the case for some balance and regulation. I think that is conceded by the Government because it is going to regulate short-term lets but, as per the Bill, it is only going to be in rent pressure zones, which is what my amendment seeks to address.

Before I go into details, will the Minister of State let us know how many electoral areas are not rent pressure zones?