Galway City Councillor Niall McNelis has welcomed the Government’s new national framework for regulating short-term holiday lets.
The Labour Party councillor for the city’s west ward described it as “a long overdue step towards restoring homes to local families while supporting a sustainable tourism sector”.
Under the new legislation, all properties offering short-term accommodation up to 21 nights will be required to register with Fáilte Ireland. Each registered property will receive a unique registration number which must be displayed on online platforms such as Airbnb. Platforms will also be required to remove listings that do not comply with the new registration system.
The measures will apply nationwide from the end of 2026 and are designed to improve transparency and enforcement in the short-term letting market.
“Galway has experienced first-hand the impact that the growth of short-term lets has had on the availability of homes for workers, students and families. While tourism is a vital part of our local economy, we must strike the right balance between welcoming visitors and ensuring people can find somewhere affordable to live.”
He said the new registration system would provide much-needed oversight of the sector.
“For too long there has been insufficient visibility around the scale of short-term letting. A national register and stronger enforcement powers will help create a level playing field for compliant operators while ensuring that housing intended for permanent occupation is not unnecessarily removed from the market.”
Cllr McNelis also called for robust enforcement of the new rules.
“The legislation will only succeed if it is properly enforced. Galway residents have seen regulations introduced before, but without consistent enforcement their impact has been limited. It is essential that local authorities, Fáilte Ireland and the online platforms work together to ensure compliance.”
He added that the reforms should form part of a broader strategy to tackle the housing shortage.
“There is no single solution to the housing crisis, but bringing more homes back into long-term use must be part of the answer. Alongside accelerating new housing delivery, these measures can help make a meaningful difference for people struggling to secure accommodation in Galway.”
Cllr McNelis concluded by saying he would continue to advocate for policies that support both sustainable tourism and the right of local people to access affordable housing.
