Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will address amendment No. 47, which was tabled by Deputy O'Callaghan. The Deputy proposes to amend section 8 with regard to short-term lettings by deleting subsection (4)(a), which provides that the section does not apply to lettings, including short-term lettings, outside rent pressure zones. On 7 December 2022, the Government approved the priority drafting of the registration of short-term tourist letting Bill and publication of the general scheme of the Bill, which provides for the registration of short-term tourist lettings with Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All. My Department is developing planning guidelines for short-term letting sector to supplement the introduction of the registration of short-term tourist letting Bill being progressed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the associated establishment of the new short-term letting register to be operated by Fáilte Ireland. This guidance will provide clarity and certainty about the planning permission requirements in respect of short-term letting properties.

There will be no exemptions from the need for planning permission for short-term letting provided by the guidance. This will apply to properties in rent pressure zones and rural areas outside rent pressure zones. However, it is intended that the guidance will allow tourism in rural areas to be more sustainably managed recognising the benefit of short-term letting for local communities and economies subject to the obtaining of the necessary planning permission. It is not considered necessary to amend the planning requirements in this regard and in that regard, I oppose amendment No. 47.