Ms Niamh McGuire:

I thank Deputy Hearne. The planning requirements will apply to all operators regardless of their location but what the Department of housing has said to us is that under the national planning statement guidance, properties within an area with a population of over 10,000 people will generally be precluded from the grant of planning permission. We understand that does not mean there would be certain circumstances where they would be granted. In the same case, if a property is in an area with a population of fewer than 10,000, there may also be circumstances were a local authority, in coming to its determination on a planning application, would decide it is not suitable for short-term letting.