Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday we saw the publication of the rent pressure zones. Any action is welcome in its own way. I live in the centre of Dublin. Most mornings, I wake up to the sound of suitcase wheels rolling along the ground. I also hear it late in the evening. People are either coming from or going to the airport. They are mainly staying in Airbnb properties that were in the rental market.It is estimated that approximately 2,500 units in the greater Dublin area have been transferred from the private rental market to Airbnb. If we want to deal with rent pressure zones, this issue must be addressed through regulations or legislation. The Minister stated he would circulate a letter to local authorities before the end of the year, but we need action. Regardless of what legislation or regulations we introduce, if we do not deal with the migration to Airbnb from the private rental market, we will not resolve the issue in the rent pressure zone of Dublin. If one travels through the city at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., one will see two or three people waiting outside apartment blocks for the landlord to arrive with the key in order that they can get in and stay overnight. Many Senators are using Airbnb properties because they cannot access hotels. The migration is causing a crisis in the private rental market. At Spencer Dock, apartment owners have introduced rules to prevent people from renting their apartments with Airbnb. The issue must be addressed. We can introduce all of the emergency legislation we like, but if we ignore this issue, we will not solve the problems in rent pressure zones and the migration will continue. This morning I listened to "The Pat Kenny Show" on which a landlord talked about leaving for Airbnb. This issue must be addressed through regulations or legislation, not circulars. Will the Leader raise the matter urgently with the Minister? The Minister will be in the House next week to deal with other legislation, but if we do not receive a response, I will raise the issue with him time and again, as Senator Denis Landy has done. We need action now, not more talk.