Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Byrne for raising the real importance of self-catering accommodation, bed and breakfast accommodation and the wider short-term tourism letting sector. It is an important element of the Irish tourism ecosystem. We want to see our tourism sector co-existing in a more sustainable way, recognising and complementing the local needs of many communities, both economically and socially. The long-term sustainable growth of tourism requires that an appropriate balance is achieved between the short-term and long-term rental sector. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the planning system and is currently examining the planning system requirements can be best implemented in those areas where housing demand pressure is not high but where rural tourism is a strong feature of the local economy. Even in my area, along the Wild Atlantic Way, it is important that we have a sustainable tourism environment and that we are not robbing Peter to pay Paul.

It is hoped that this will be handled in a pragmatic way. We recognise the importance of tourism for this country, particularly in rural areas, while recognising that specific parts of the country have rent pressure zones and that there is a clear need for additional housing supply. I will certainly relay the importance of the Senator's point to the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. I echo many representative organisations of self-catering and bed and breakfast accommodation about the important part they play in the overall tourism accommodation ecosystem and that it is vital, where possible, that we recognise what we are trying to do with this registration in a sensible way with the planning authorities.