Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

They are paying rent increases of up to 25% and at the same time must try to save for a deposit on a home. They are hugely disadvantaged.

I welcome wholeheartedly the decision of An Bord Pleanála regarding Airbnb. Senator Denis Landy and I have highlighted this issue in this House over and over again. We have a housing crisis in the country and in this city in particular. Some 2,000 apartments and homes have moved to Airbnb. The decision by An Bord Pleanála means that the owners of these properties will have to get planning permission to rent their properties through Airbnb. Think of the impact if we were to bring in regulation to control Airbnb and if we could put 2,000 units back into the rental market for people with families to rent. This has been the single biggest impact on the rental market in the Dublin area and also in the Cork and Galway areas regarding the housing shortage. The Minister may bring in new initiatives, but we are still leaking units at the other end. If we could bring those 2,000 units back into the long-term rental market, it would have a significant impact on housing.

With regard to the debate on new politics, it is positive if Ministers listen and adjust and change, but there is an issue regarding Cabinet collective responsibility which I have raised before in this House. I feel very strongly about repeal of the eighth amendment and believe it should be repealed. However, a Cabinet decision has been made by all members of the Cabinet for the Government to go down a particular line, that is, the Citizens' Assembly, which sat last Sunday. Now we hear talk of Cabinet members seeking a free vote.Should we abandon collective Cabinet responsibility so easily and without a proper debate and discussion? I urge caution. The vote has not come up and they may vote. However, we really need to have that discussion. Maybe it is good that we abolish collective responsibility.