Cabinet delayed strict Airbnb rules due to need for legal 'clarifications', says minister

Wed, 09 Apr, 2025 - 18:18

Tadgh McNally

New laws to introduce strict rules for short-term lets were dropped from the Cabinet agenda due to the need for “clarifications” from the Attorney General (AG), enterprise minister Peter Burke has said.

Mr Burke rejected assertions that the bill was dropped at last minute due to opposition from rural ministers, including Kerry’s Norma Foley and Michael Healy-Rae.

“We just want to get a few additional clarifications from the Attorney General on points that have come from the Department of Housing,” Mr Burke said.

It was important for the AG to provide advice on the bill after it was held up for several years by the European Commission, he added.

“We want to ensure that when a sector [short-term lets] is growing by 10% annually, you have to have regulation to ensure that you’re getting the correct data,” Mr Burke said.

“We’ve a huge challenge in housing and Government has to use every lever to respond to that at every step of the way, right across every single sector.”

The enterprise minister said it was his intention to bring the legislation to Cabinet next week, after clarifications have been made. The proposals will see effective bans on short-term lets in any town of more than 10,000 people.

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Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, called for the Government to “tread carefully” on short-term lets.

“It is vital that a broad brushstroke is not applied to short-term rentals otherwise regional and coastal Ireland risks being denuded of vital tourism accommodation,” Mr O’Mara Walsh said.

“At a minimum Government must consult with stakeholders prior to implementing any legislation - getting this wrong could have a seriously detrimental impact on the tourism economy.”