ISCF Summer 2026 Media Campaign
As the Oireachtas decamped from Leinster House back in the middle of July for their Summer break, it was imperative that the ISCF kept our concerns regarding the new STR legislation and register to the fore of the minds of our local representatives. This is why a media campaign was important. The issue of the problems relating to upcoming STR legislation reported in the media would keep the pressure on.
We issued a press release in August regarding the lack of clarity and information regarding the new legislation. Currently the legislation that has been proposed is with the EU for assessment and we have not been given specific details relating to it and if or when planning permission is required for population areas under 20,000 and population areas over 20,000. The Minister for Tourism, Peter Burke has stated that the new Failte Ireland Register for STR will be opened on the 1st of December and all property owners are to be registered by the 31st of December. We believe that this is an unrealistic time frame considering the time of year and being just over 4 weeks in duration.
Following on from our press release, we secured a number of interviews from national and local radio stations – Newstalk, Raidio na Gaeltachta, Ocean FM, Galway Bay FM, Bere Island Radio and Connemara FM.
The issue of lack of accommodation is as always a hot topic on the airwaves at this time of year especially when homeless figures are up and students are heading back to college looking for accommodation. We as a sector tend to get the brunt of the blame on this issue. There doesn’t seem to be any comment of the fact that legislative changes made to the long term rental sector back in March had a detrimental effect on the supply of houses available for long term rent. We all agree there needs to be a balance between long term and short term rental housing stock but we can’t be made a scapegoat for deficiencies in construction and planning permissions given, legislation changes to the long term rental market, and the increase of refugees and immigrants to this country. These all have a knock on affect on demand for housing. Needless to say we need to be on air to get our voices heard and defend our sector.
Incorrect information can also be given on air by various parties on particular points of the legislation that the ISCF know to be incorrect following correspondence from the relevant government department the home show podcast. That is why being a member of the Irish Self Catering Federation is essential for your business.
The Irish government have to work with their EU counterparts on the STR topic. Our sector across Europe as a whole has increased by 1.7% in the first half of 2026 It is a growing sector that needs to be supported at EU Level. Maire has been working hard with her European colleagues to fight for our sector at EU level Register for STR across EU. It is as important to fight for our sector at EU level as it is at national level as the legislation is intertwined.
As our local representatives across the country head back to the Dail this month, it is still imperative to keep the pressure on especially as the date of the 1st of December draws near. So keep those email and phone calls going to your local TD as they have the power to shape this new legislation over the next couple of months.
Noelle Casey, Vice-Chair ISCF.ie
ISCG Board Members in Dail
For media enquiries:
Contact the ISCF office, which co-ordinates all interview requests.
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. Recognised 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. 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.