Housing minister to meet European Commission amid 'frustration' at delays in Airbnb crackdown

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said it caused 'a quality of life' issue for people living near short-term lets, where new people are coming and going every few days. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins 

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is due to meet with the European Commission amid “frustration” with the ongoing delay to Ireland’s crackdown on Airbnb properties.

The Government’s proposals to bring about 12,000 short-term lets back into the long-term rental market are being delayed by Brussels, following a decision to extend the standstill period of the new regulations.

Mr O’Brien previously wrote to EU commissioner Nicolas Schmit raising concerns the “undue delays” in signing off on the plans is leading to increased pressure on housing supply.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr O’Brien confirmed he would meet with Mr Schmit before the end of the year to discuss the stalled plans.

'Frustrated'

“I have been frustrated with the with the commission and with the slowness of their response, and I know they're assessing it,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I intend to go to Brussels this side of the year to meet with the commissioner and to discuss it further. I have had some discussions at official level as well to try and move it on because I think it's important for us.”

Earlier this year, the European Commission imposed a "standstill" on introducing the new laws until December 22. Concerns were raised that the changes would be too "restrictive" for companies like Airbnb, Booking.com, and others to operate here. 

Asked if the commission was purposely slowing down the legislation, Mr O’Brien said he “wouldn’t go that far”.

“I just think it’s slower than I’d like it to be,” he added.

“[Why] I want to meet the commissioner, and I have written to him, is to impress the urgency of us implementing this, which I don’t think is a departure or diminution of rights of property owners at all.

Role for short-term lets

“There’s a role for short-term lets within our tourist offering, absolutely. We’re not looking to take the legs out from under people.

But there’s also a fact that there are good second properties that are being used as regular short-term lets that, not only is that not a good use of the property, but it also impinges on neighbours and on neighbourhoods as well.”

Mr O’Brien said it caused “a quality of life” issue for people living near short-term lets, where new people are coming and going every few days.

The legislation, approved by Cabinet in late 2022, would further regulate the existing short-term let sector. At present, anyone who plans turn their property into a short-term let is required to seek planning permission if they want to rent it for more than 90 days a year.

This new legislation would allow for the creation of a short-term tourist letting register, which would require any homeowner letting out their property for more than 21 days to register with Fáilte Ireland.

In addition, Fáilte Ireland would be able to levy fines against any household that lists a property as a short-term let without a valid registration number, with fines stretching up to €5,000.