Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the introduction of the Short-term Lettings Enforcement Bill 2022 and commend Deputy Ó Broin on his work on this issue. The rental sector, as we know, is in crisis and renters need a break, but unfortunately, as we see time and again, the Government is not listening. Sinn Féin has brought motions before this House to alleviate the pressure on renters by giving them a month’s rent back in their pockets, beginning a massive housebuilding programme and bringing forward many other measures to try to help deal with this housing crisis. The current short-term letting regime relies on a planning system and standard planning enforcement through the courts that can take a very long time to progress and resolve. This new Bill allows for the issuing of spot fines to Airbnb property owners and other providers who advertise non-compliant properties.

This is something I raised time and again when I was a councillor on Fingal County Council. Nothing was done, however, because the council did not have the resources to enforce the law. A law that is unenforceable is a waste of time.

The figures at the moment in Dublin are completely staggering. A total of 2,704 properties are advertised on Airbnb while just 436 are available for long-term letting. In Blanchardstown, in Dublin West, there are more than 100 properties on Airbnb and only 30 properties available for long-term letting. It can be seen where the crisis lies and where the putting in place of a very simple measure can deal with this.

While the purpose of the Bill is not to shut down short-term letting sites and platforms, it will make them more compliant and ease the availability of properties in the rental sector. Here is another opportunity for the Government to back renters and ordinary workers and families in this sector and show it is listening. I listened to the Minister on the radio yesterday when he said he was planning to bring forward legislation. As Deputy Ó Broin has said, we are ready and willing to work with the Government to get this sorted but, mark our words, this must be sorted. Families cannot wait any longer.

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