Letters to the Editor: Short-term letting bill threatens tourism sector
The bill bids to enforce self-catering operators' registration via Fáilte Ireland. Picture: Denis Scannell
Irish Tourism Industry Confederation CEO Eoghan O'Mara Walsh is right on the money when he writes that Government must tread very carefully with short-term letting legislation (Irish Examiner February 4).
As an owner of a small self-catering company in West Cork we have survived foot and mouth and covid-19 but neither of these were inflicted upon us by our own government.
That's about to change. The Short Term Tourist Letting Register Bill 2022 currently under consideration threatens the existence of much of the self-catering tourism sector. The legislation, which seeks to enforce self-catering operators to be officially registered via Fáilte Ireland, is not controversial in itself. Companies like mine welcome some regulation, but it is the coupling of the legislation to planning that poses the biggest threat.
This year, we aim to bring 6,000 visitors to West Cork, bringing in over €2m to the local economy (Fáilte Ireland figures). We employ 15 local people. If properties have to provide proof of planning permission for short-term lets to receive a registration number, then many will fall foul.
No planning, no registration. No registration, no business, and small family businesses in rural Ireland are likely to feel it most. It has been claimed that the legislation could bring 12,000 properties back into the long-term rental market but there is NO evidence to back this claim up.
At a joint Oireachtas committee meeting on tourism last year it was admitted that this figure was “made up on the back of an envelope”.
I think my industry deserves better than this. End of term report: Could do better.
I beg to differ with your editorial comment last Friday titled “EU solidarity with Ukraine goes to the heart of the European project”. It is no harm to look back at the genesis of this conflict.
Europe is already paying a huge price for this war in terms of economic competitiveness due to high [liquefied natural gas] prices coming from US an others. I agree that Putin was silly to invade, but it could also be argued that the US and others were quietly undermining Russia in Kyiv through many covert organisations and other means.
The US broke all agreements in the past regarding the Eastern expansion of Nato. The IMF, before the war declared Ukraine, was in considerable need of reform before any further monies could be given. It is now in a considerably worse situation due to mutual destruction of internal infrastructure.
The provision of further monies only serves to prolong this awful war which will result in more deaths on both sides, further environmental degradation and potential for wider escalation.
There can be no future for progress here unless there is a return to negotiations on a similar accord to the Minsk agreement. I would point out that Northern Ireland is a good example of a minority section of people who were denied their civil rights for ages finally achieving them through the Good Friday agreement.
Apple has unveiled its Augmented Reality Vision Pro Headset. I thought we already had augmented reality. We call it simply “politics”.
As an avid follower of US presidential elections for over 60 years, one has to view the present political situation with some level of fear and even despair.
It looks as if the most powerful country in the world, come next November, will have Hobson’s choice: Trump, who for some reason appears to have the support of half of the US electorate; and Biden, who appears to be becoming increasingly feeble and is rambling incoherently at times.
The much-vaunted slogan of “God bless America” may well be replaced with “God save America” next January.
Is this the best that the land that gave us Lincoln, Kennedy, and many other great presidents can produce?
Having watched the collection of songs and videos uploaded to YouTube by our Eurovision hopeful, Bambie Thug, I can say for certain that they are a class act. Pure art, daring visuals, carefully thought-out lyrics, and steady but quirky hooks galore.
For the sensitive amongst us, there is a censored version of their song ‘Birthday’ which is refreshing in its honesty on the theme of drug taking, parties, and denial.
However, I feel that the full nudity used on the original ‘Birthday’ video is also tastefully done, is the appropriate suit for the occasion, and only adds to the freedom of creative expression overall.
So, maybe instead of saying “No comment” and hiding its head in that familiar old shame cloud, RTÉ should be embracing all of their work and saying at the very least: “At last, we found a true artist, who, despite being way more honest and brave than our usual acts, has agreed to help us out during a time when we are searching for the naked truth within our own organisation”?
After all, if we are claiming to be pushing the envelope, as a country, then at least let’s do it with conviction.
If we’re renaming GAA stadia, what next? Hop House Hill 13?
