Irish politicians criticise limits on national short term lets register bill

Radio Kerry reported that Irish politicians have criticised proposed short term lets legislation after the bill passed another stage in the Dáil. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman and Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae both expressed strong dissatisfaction with the current draft of the legislation. [1]

According to Radio Kerry, the proposed legislation will require hosts, including Airbnb providers, to register their properties with Fáilte Ireland. The register is set to open on December 1st. However, the requirement only applies to towns with populations of over 20,000, a restriction that covers Tralee but excludes smaller areas. [1]

Radio Kerry reported that Roderic O'Gorman accused the Government of watering down the register by including the population threshold, describing the restriction as a Kilgarvan carveout. Michael Healy-Rae stated that the bill in its current form has scutterised its original intentions and goes against what was intended. [1]

Kilgarvan is a small village located in the south of County Kerry, situated on the banks of the Roughty River. It lies 11 kilometres east of Kenmare and 18 kilometres south of Killarney. [3]