Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)

I thank the Chair for bringing me in. I am also not a member of the committee but as the witnesses may be aware, housing and the housing crisis is my perspective and approach to this. I have been following the progression of this legislation, or should I say the lack of it. I am very concerned, at the outset, as to whether this will address the issue of homes, particularly family homes, being used as short-term lets. Do the witnesses see the process?

I have a couple of questions. First, it seems that the planning requirements only apply to towns of 10,000 or larger, leaving out - and I calculated it approximately - at least 1 million living in towns between 50 and 5,000. If that is the case, do the witnesses think it will significantly reduce the potential impact of these new measures on the use of homes by short-term lets? The witnesses might respond to that one first, please.