New laws to restrict short-term lets will be the 'strongest' in Europe, housing minister says

James Browne said he wanted to 'get as many homes back into use as possible', amid crackdown on short-term tourist lets

Housing minister James Browne said in rural Ireland, short-term lets were supporting the local economy through their use for tourism. File picture: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg

New laws to restrict short-term lets across the country will be the “strongest” in the EU, the housing minister has claimed.

James Browne said he wanted to “get as many homes back into use as possible”, as the restrictions will bar new planning permissions for short-term rental in towns over 20,000 people.