Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

This is one of these substantial last-minute amendments the Government has brought in, the purpose of which we agree with. As well as some of the questions I have already heard asked, as I alluded to in my opening contribution, I want to understand clearly what is being done here.

It is not legal to offer for short-term let properties that do not have the planning permission to do so or the exemption that would allow them to do so . It is against the law but companies are doing it. We are now bringing in an amendment which will prohibit and then penalise platforms or owners who advertise properties that do not have permission or who cannot show they have the permission, but we will only do so for a period of six months. I do not understand that. Maybe I am missing something. If the Minister of State can explain it, that is fine. If it is illegal and they should not be doing it, why would the prohibition on it be only for six months? I do not understand that. Surely if they do not have the permission and they do not have the exemption, they should not be doing it and any penalties that apply to the owner or the platform advertising should apply because they are not complying with the law. Why would there be a six-month limit? Maybe I am missing something. If that can be explained to me, I would be glad. That seems a little strange.

See this speech in context