Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 7 December 2022, the Government approved the priority drafting of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting (STTL) Bill and publication of the General Scheme of the Bill which provides for the registration of short-term tourist lettings with Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy.

On 21 December the proposed STTL Bill was submitted by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM) to the EU Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535. Such a notification triggers a standstill period of 3 months during which the proposed Bill cannot be enacted. On 22 March 2023, DTCAGSM received a communication from the EU Commission which extends that standstill period until 22 December 2023. Following this, in May, I wrote to Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, who has responsibility for Jobs and Social Rights (including housing), expressing my concern in relation to the delay and the extension of the standstill period.

As part of the ongoing engagement with the Commission, my Department, DTCAGSM and Fáilte Ireland held a constructive meeting with representatives of the Commission in Brussels on 23 June last.

Commissioner Schmit responded to my letter on 26 September 2023, noting the constructive and continuing cooperation between the Irish authorities and the Commission.

Further engagement with the Commission by DTCAGSM on the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill as well as the finalisation of the negotiations on the Commission's parallel proposal for an EU Regulation on data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services will inform the timeline for the enactment of the STTL Bill and the establishment of the Fáilte Ireland register.

I am keeping this matter under review and propose to seek a meeting with Commissioners Nicolas Schmit and Thierry Breton, who has responsibility for the Internal Market - the Directorate dealing with the proposed EU Regulation on short-term accommodation rental services - at an early date to further impress on them the urgent need for the finalisation of the Commission consideration of the STTL Bill and the negotiations on the EU Regulation on short-term accommodation rental services.