Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Nov 1996

Vol. 472 No. 1

Other Questions. - Licensing of Commercial Accommodation.

Tony Killeen

Question:

35 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on the recommendations for the licensing of commercial accommodation recently prepared by the Irish Hotel Federation and other registered accommodation providers. [22122/96]

Mr. O'Sullivan

The Minister recently met representatives of the Irish Hotels Federation, the Town and Country Homes Association and the Irish Farm Holidays Association who presented him with a submission proposing a statutory licensing system for all tourist accommodation. At this meeting the Minister reiterated his view, already expressed in this House, that he did not favour the statutory licensing of all accommodation but undertook to have these proposals examined and indicated he would be in touch with the associations in due course.

The Minister's view and that of his predecessor is that the statutory licensing of all tourist accommodation is not practical, nor would it necessarily lead to an improvement in standards to any great extent. In addition to possible difficulties as regards policing and prosecution, it could lead to a reduction in the accommodation bank available, particularly during the high season and at festival times.

At present unapproved operators do not have access to official marketing through Bord Fáilte and the tourist information office network, nor do they have access to tax breaks or other subsidised finance schemes which are available to the approved sector. The pilot tax relief scheme for certain resort areas and the subsidised tourism loan schemes were carefully designed so that only approved operators would be eligible. Unapproved operators are obliged to comply in the same way as approved operators with official requirements, for example, in the areas of taxation, planning, fire and safety and hygiene. My Department has impressed on the relevant enforcement agencies the need for constant vigilance to ensure their policing or inspection practices do not discriminate as between the approved and unapproved sectors.

The ideal solution would be for unapproved operators to become approved and I can confirm that both Bord Fáilte and the recognised approving bodies will mount an information campaign encouraging operators to seek approval and explaining clearly not only what is involved in terms of procedure, but also in terms of the benefits to be gained from being part of the approved tourist accommodation sector.

The Minister's response has much to recommend it in terms of plans for licensed and unlicensed accommodation, but difficulties exist even in the licensed sector. Has the Minister any plans to alter the accommodation requirements for the licensed sector, regardless of any plans he might have for the unlicensed sector?

Mr. O'Sullivan

That was clear in my original reply to the Deputy's question. The Minister, Deputy Kenny, and his predecessor, Deputy McCreevy, indicated clearly it was not their intention to force people in the unlicensed sector to register because some of them only provide accommodation during race meetings or festivals. They are not in the business for most of the year unlike many approved bed and breakfast establishments. Likewise it will be particularly difficult to force people complying with planning and fire and safety regulations, who are working in a manner acceptable to the health authorities regarding hygiene, to register unless some other system is introduced. In the coming year Bord Fáilte and the other approving agencies intend to highlight the advantages of registering including tax incentives and the advertising that is available to people with approved establishments.

Perhaps I did not make myself entirely clear to the Minister. I asked him if there were any plans to alter the accommodation requirements for those premises which are licensed, and has he encountered any difficulties in linking promotion and approval, particularly for the town houses, country homes and farmhouses? I understand certain concerns have been brought to the attention of the Minister, perhaps not to the Minister of State. Does the Minister intend to take any action in that regard?

Mr. O'Sullivan

I am not in a position to respond to the Deputy but I will convey his query to the Minister and we may contact him in that regard.

Top
Share