Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Nobody is being persecuted here. My understanding is that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will give guidance, if it has not already, to local authorities in this space regarding the planning considerations involved. In some parts of the country the role of Airbnbs is particularly important, particularly this year when many of our hotel rooms are not available for the tourism season. In other parts of the country where there is inappropriate short-term letting of premises that should be available for longer-term letting, the State needs to act on that. In many rural parts in particular, I do not disagree with the Deputy. Many people, if required to apply for planning permission for short-term lets in the context of an Airbnb letting, simply will not do it. Local authorities will receive guidance from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this issue shortly.

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