Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach has publicly stated that he supports the hardworking, local businesses that employ many people in rural towns and villages. Airbnb hosts also fall into the category of hardworking local businesses. They form the bedrock of visitor accommodation in rural and coastal areas across the island. For example, their contribution to the success of the Wild Atlantic Way, now in its tenth year, is beyond question. The extra footfall and spin-off spend generated by their guests is essential to the survival of local businesses and their employees. The guests eat in cafés, restaurants and pubs, go kayaking, whale watching and hill-walking and visit distilleries and museums. That is not just in west Cork; it is across our island. In 2023, tourism generated €12 billion, 2.5% of Ireland's GDP, and supported 5.1% of the national workforce. The Wild Atlantic Way alone generated €3 billion. Airbnb hosts also provide accommodation to allow people to relocate and engage in remote working. They also facilitate contract workers on weekly assignments and agency healthcare staff.

Airbnb hosts in rural and coastal areas are fearful of losing their livelihoods if the proposed registration of short-term lets requires planning compliance within a six-month period, with no clarity as to what this would entail. Many hosts who are over 55 host in their own homes and depend on this essential source of income in locations where employment prospects are scarce. This allows them the dignity of creating their own jobs while working from home and reducing their carbon footprint, which is a constant cry from this Government. To date, neither the Minister for housing nor the Minister for tourism has properly engaged with these thousands of hosts in the short-term rental sector as recognised stakeholders. The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin is said to be bringing forward a report soon. How can she do this when she has not consulted with the people who could be most affected?

The Government's decision to railroad with these proposals through will have devastating consequences. The Government must immediately decouple the planning requirements from the new register until it has produced reliable data on the actual type and pattern of short-term rentals in Ireland. Thousands of Airbnb providers need the Taoiseach to recognise that the proposed legislation in its current form could kill Ireland's tourism and the livelihoods of thousands of rural employees as early as 2025. Airbnb hosts are not the solution to the housing problem. They are the solution to a thriving local and national tourism economy, supporting local jobs for local people. Does the Taoiseach understand the crisis these hosts are facing? What is his solution to the thousands of top-quality tourism providers who may face being wiped out due to these new proposals.

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