asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that regulations proposed by Bord Fáilte to increase the number of bedrooms required to register as a hotel will have the effect of seriously inhibiting the growth of smaller family owned hotels as they would be unable in the absence of the required number of bedrooms to obtain a liquor licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Registration of Hotels.
82.
Bord Fáilte intend to introduce, in the near future, revised regulations governing the registration of hotels. Under these regulations, premises located in the Dublin and Cork metropolitan districts will be required to have 45 bedrooms in order to be considered for registration. Outside these areas, the number of bedrooms required will be 20.
The objective of the revised regulations is to ensure that premises are of an adequate standard and size to merit the title of hotel and to meet visitor expectation of what constitutes an hotel and the services that should be provided therein.
The revised regulations will not apply to premises which are currently registered or hotels which have been registered at any time within the preceding three years.