Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The general scheme of the registration of short-term tourist letting Bill is undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny at the moment. In his opening statement on 25 January, the principal officer at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage stated:

As the committee is aware, large numbers of properties have been withdrawn from the long-term rental market in recent years for use as more lucrative short-term lettings, in particular in larger urban centres where housing demand and need is most acute. This trend, which has been largely facilitated by online platforms, has had a negative impact on the supply and availability of long-term rental accommodation in the private rental sector and in driving up rents.

That is true. In his opening statement, the principal officer from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media stated, "The Government’s housing policy, Housing for All, includes the objective of making more efficient use of existing housing." That is also true. Housing is at a premium and the majority of people have no issue with the registration of self-catering accommodation and short-term letting. At a meeting in Buswells Hotel yesterday, the Irish Self Catering Federation highlighted a problem in this regard. I have also met a number of representatives from Connemara and have spoken to people in County Galway on this issue. Many small operators may have a converted old outhouse in the back or a garage that was converted for short-term letting. They may even be letting rooms in their own homes. Some holiday homes are used for two or three weeks by the owners but are also let on a short-term basis for six months. They have no problem with registering; the issue arises when they need to get planning permission, leading to problems with costs and the possibility of not being granted permission.

The motive behind this is to try to increase the supply of long-term letting with which I agree. However, the consequence is that people will just shut down. They will no longer let their properties and rooms. We will not have the long-term lets or the short-term lets. Those short-term lets are very important to the economy of places like north Connemara and elsewhere. It is also important to the owners of those properties. It is not that they will make a fortune, but they will make a few thousand euro after tax. It is important for that family. We need a debate on the matter of the Bill. I agree with the principle of what it is trying to achieve but there is considerable concern in certain areas about its consequences and that it will not achieve what it hopes and needs to achieve.