PRESS RELEASE. – 12/11/2025
Self-Catering not the Problem
You’re Not the Problem” – Minister Michael Healy-Rae Urges Rethink of Short-Term Rental Legislation to Protect Local Tourism Jobs
Clare, Ireland – Wednesday, 12th November 2025:
“You’re Not the Problem” was the statement Minister Healy-Rae gave to members of the Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF) who held its Annual Conference this week. Minister Healy-Rae was speaking in relation to the future of Ireland’s short-term rental (STR) sector. While acknowledged the value of the self-catering sector to local communities and the tourism economy, he urged Government to rethink proposed legislative changes that could decimate rural and coastal tourism.
“We have a housing crisis, but you are not the problem – and neither are you the solution,” the Minister said, adding that the self-catering industry is “under-valued by politicians and the general public” and that there remains “a serious lack of awareness within government about the importance of this issue.”
He praised ISCF members for their vital role in sustaining local businesses and tourism employment, calling them “a vital cog in the tourism wheel” and warning “If this goes wrong, it will be very hard to put the genie back in the bottle.”
The Minister called on attendees to lobby their county councillors, TDs, and government representatives directly: “You must get your voices heard and hold politicians accountable.”
Minister Healy-Rae added that in his opinion changing legislation for existing operators was wrong and suggested that only new entrants should be subject to planning scrutiny to protect long-term housing stock. Existing, compliant operators should be offered planning exemptions, he said, as “these businesses are often a lifetime’s work and passed down through generations.”
The Scottish Experience
Fiona Campbell MBE, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), cautioned Ireland against following the same path as Scotland, where overly restrictive STR legislation has already devastated the sector.
She told delegates: “If Ireland follows Scotland’s footsteps, at least half of all self-catering accommodation could be lost. Others will be tied up in planning regulations for years.”
Ms Campbell noted there is “universal acknowledgement that Scotland got it wrong” with Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) and STR regulations warning that poor policy decisions had led to “a rise in black-market, non-compliant properties”.
Legislation
Other key contributors included Paul Hayden, Fáilte Ireland and spokespeople from the Department of Housing and Department of Tourism.
Mr Hayden outlined Fáilte Ireland’s responsibility for the incoming Short-Term Letting Register, due to go live on 20 May 2026. All operators will be required to register and receive a unique STR number before advertising on booking platforms. Registration will require operators to declare compliance with planning regulations, a process many fear will be unworkable under current timeframes and costs.
Given that new planning guidelines have yet to issue, and applications can take up to 12 months at a cost of around €7,000 per property, industry concern remains high about the feasibility of meeting the 2026 deadline.
The Department of Housing’s spokesperson noted that ‘a balance needs to be struck between increasing the supply of Housing and catering for tourism demand’ and confirmed that plans are being considered to “decouple STRs from RPZs” – though no confirmation has yet been given.
While the Department of Tourism representative reconfirmed that strict enforcement will follow, including orders for booking platforms to remove listings without valid registration numbers.
Proposals of ISCF Post Conference
Charlie Reith, Public Policy Lead for Expedia Ireland and the UK, proposed a practical compromise: “Run the Register for one to two years without an obligation for planning. In that time, collect data, assess the impact, and then refine the planning rules to include appropriate exemptions for existing operators.”
Following the conference, the ISCF has reiterated its key calls for Government action:
- Exempt existing self-catering operators from new planning requirements – known as a Grandfather Rule.
- Ensure the Fáilte Ireland Register is implemented fairly and with clear, achievable guidelines.
- Introduce a two-year “planning amnesty” period for the new STR Register, allowing it to operate and collect data before linking registration to planning compliance.
The ISCF Annual Conference is the premier gathering for Irelands self-catering rental sector and took place in the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point, Co. Clare on Monday and Tuesday, 10th and 11th November 2025.
End of Release
ISCF Board and speakers at 2025ConferenceMedia Contact:
Garrett Harte, Harte Media – M: 087 955 5936 | E: garrett@hartemedia.ie
Office:- info@ ISCF.ie. Phone: 086 – 178 5654. Join ISCF Now
About the Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF)
The Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF) is the national representative and lobbying body for owners of self-catering properties in Ireland. Established in 1998, the ISCF advocates on behalf of its members to promote and develop the interests of the self-catering sector across the country. The ISCF has called for a Register for STR since 2017.
Recognized by Fáilte Ireland, local and central government, and key tourism stakeholders, the ISCF works to ensure that self-catering accommodation providers have a unified voice in policy discussions and industry developments. The federation represents a diverse range of property owners, from individual holiday home operators to larger agencies and groups.
One of the ISCF’s key initiatives is the operation of LetsGoSelfCatering.com, an official property listing platform that allows guests to book directly with self-catering property owners throughout Ireland. This platform aims to provide a comprehensive national listing of quality-assured self-catering accommodations.
In addition to national advocacy, the ISCF is a member of the European Holiday Homes Association (EHHA), engaging in discussions and policy development at the European level to support the self-catering industry.