Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I thank Mr. Gibbons for his service and the work he and his team have done around Tourism Ireland. I wish him the best in his new role. I also acknowledge the work of all of the witnesses. Even though this is a challenging time for the tourism sector, I wish to thank the providers for all they have done in tourism provision and in responding to the humanitarian crisis. Some operators have gone above and beyond it simply being a contract. It is important that we put that on record, notwithstanding some of the challenges.

I have several questions. I will address the first to Mr. Ó Lionáin regarding the provision of short-term letting. We heard that one of the big challenges is in rural tourism, in particular with regard to high levels. I am conscious of the chart from ITIC, which showed, county by county, the high proportion of hotel accommodation occupied by displaced persons. This committee expressed concerns about how the short-term legislation was being proposed. Part of the delay now is with the technical regulation information system, TRIS, process. There is a nine-month breathing space. I would be grateful if Mr. Ó Lionáin would update the committee on the approach the Department is now going to take. I understand there are discussions within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and that many of the concerns raised in this committee regarding rural and coastal tourism, in particular, will be addressed.