Proposed Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-20
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Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (FF), Carlow-Kilkenny

This is an important matter. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has worked closely with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and is committed to developing a fair and balanced approach to the short-term letting question, which is crucial. As the Deputy said, as a proud Kerryman, he has always highlighted the needs in this area. I absolutely agree. It is about all of the different Departments working together. I believe this will have a good outcome.
With the approach outlined earlier, the need for rental housing stock is being balanced with the need to protect rural and regional tourism and jobs, which are important. The long-term development of tourism requires that an appropriate equilibrium is achieved in the short-term and long-term rental sector. Tourism is very important to the economy. The Government is mindful of concerns in both rural regions and major tourism regions, where short-term lettings provide much-needed accommodation for visitors, as the Deputy mentioned. However, addressing Ireland's housing needs is a priority, and the Government must use every lever available, including returning some short-term letting properties to the housing market, which may include longer-term rentals. The approach to be taken in the STLT Bill, as well as in the national planning statement, will balance greater housing supply with the need to protect rural and regional tourism jobs.
I again thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I am glad to provide him with as much information as I can. He is right that we need to get this finalised. We need to have the draft brought to Cabinet as soon as possible. I will go back to the Minister for housing. Clarification is crucial to provide information on what is happening for everyone. I will do that.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-20/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-20