Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 29 March 2023

Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media

Challenges Facing Providers of Tourist Accommodation in Ireland: Discussion

Mr. Paul Kelly:

Yes. As Mr. Ó Lionáin said, it is important to balance tourism and the need for long-term letting. That is not a factor of the Fáilte Ireland register; the new legislation will be the approach to planning. All the Fáilte Ireland register in the new legislation will do is provide visibility around who is involved in short-term letting and who is not. It is about the planning guidelines and what is given planning permission or not, etc. That is where the register will come in. Whether it is glamping, caravans, camping or guest houses, etc., a range of alternative provision will be required, particularly in the future and looking to more sustainable types of accommodation developments. That is on the list. Our key focus from an accommodation shortage perspective at a national level is that we need more in Dublin.