Vol. 440 No. 7
29 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the proposals, if any, he has to amend Section 3 of the Approved Apartments Regulations, 1986, to provide approval for registration of holiday apartments to accommodate two persons in one-bedroom apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter as the present regulation is causing difficulties for suppliers of apartments.
Bord Fáilte has informed me that regulations for holiday apartments are being reviewed and will be submitted to me later this year. There is little evidence of any sizeable demand for one bedroom holiday apartment units but under the regulations being prepared provision will be made for the registration of such apartments where the developer can identify an appropriate market.
Does the Minister agree that the regulations are ridiculous in that two-bedroom apartments are required for two holidaymakers? This does not accord with what I might describe as contemporary practice. In view of the difficulties caused in the registration of a great many apartments which have been built specifically for holidays and tourist purposes — and the losses incurred by the providers of these apartments — will the Minister agree to amend the regulations forthwith rather than wait until the end of the year as he seemed to suggest in his reply?
I am aware that in one case in the west a developer encountered difficulties in this regard but the matter has been resolved, I hope to his satisfication. Bord Fáilte is carrying out a review of the regulations and will submit its findings to me by the end of the year. If any developer is badly affected I will amend the regulations in the interim but Bord Fáilte assures me that the matter can be resolved under the existing regulations. Bord Fáilte have assured me that any problems can be accommodated within the existing regulations. If that is not the case I will certainly do something.
Is the Minister aware that in a location in the west scores of apartments fall foul of section 3, even though they are otherwise admirable in every respect and could do considerably more business if they were properly registered?
I was only aware of the problems of a particular developer and I understand they have been solved.
That disposes of questions for today.
