Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
40. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán the steps being taken by her Department to ensure the viability of the Irish self-catering sector is protected; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [17049/24]
View answerThe self-catering and wider short-term tourist letting sector is an important element of the Irish tourism ecosystem. Of course, the tourism sector must co-exist and develop in a way that recognises and is complementary to the wider needs of local communities, both economically and socially. The long-term sustainable growth of tourism requires that an appropriate balance is achieved between the short and long term rental sectors.
The proposed Registration of Short Term Tourism Letting (STTL) Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for Short Term Tourist Lets (STTLs) in Ireland, as required under the Housing for All strategy, and will be aligned with the new EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation which was formally adopted by the EU on 10 April 2024.
In this context, this Bill remains the subject of ongoing engagement with the EU Commission in accordance with the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535 and with specific regard to alignment between the STTL Bill and EU law, in particular the new STR Regulation.
On 9 February 2024, the Commission responded positively regarding the principles outlined in Ireland’s formal response and my officials met with the Commission on 21 February 2024 to provide further clarifications on the proposed approach. This was a very positive engagement and a conclusion to the TRIS process shortly will allow for the publication of the Bill in the coming months.
Work on a revised General Scheme of the Bill is ongoing and I hope to be in a position to bring this Government soon.
In parallel with this, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is also developing Planning Guidelines concerning the STTL Sector to provide clarity and certainty on the planning permission requirements in respect of STTL properties. These Guidelines are to be published no later than the publication of the STTL Bill.
