Legislation surrounding short-term tourist letting will have a major impact on the industry. That’s according to Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher, who addressed the Irish Self-Catering Federation annual conference earlier this month.

Mr Kelleher said the EU legislation, which was passed by all member states earlier this year, will have a major impact on those providing self- catering accommodation in Ireland and across the EU.

The new law requires anyone offering paid accommodation for periods of up to and including 21 nights to sign up to the Short-Term Tourist Letting Register.

“The lack of understanding of the importance of the self-catering sector to rural areas as essential to the economy is of serious concern,” he said.

“We must be very conscious that what happens in Paris or Berlin is not the same as what happens in the Beara Peninsula or Hook Head and there is a need for flexibility.”

The regulations were due to be implemented in recent weeks but were paused by the outgoing Minister for Tourism, Catherine Martin.

There are concerns that the new regulations will force many farm families out of the agri tourism sector.

People selling short-term accommodation on digital platforms such as Airbnb will be required to hold a valid registration number from Fáilte Ireland, with booking platforms only able to advertise properties that have this information.

Máire Ní Mhurchú, Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF) chief executive said the new legislation is needed to allow for the development of small sustainable tourism businesses, bringing jobs, economic benefit and growth to rural areas.

Eduardo Miranda, chief executive of Alojamento Local Association Portugal, (ALEP), the Portuguese Local Accommodation Association, said negotiations with his government have brought in regulation, while allowing existing short-term rental business to continue.

However, legislation in Scotland has had severe economic consequences for the wider tourism economy, including the Edinburgh Festival, Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers told delegates.

Meanwhile, a Tipperary farm scooped the Sustainability in Self-Catering Business Diversification Award at this year’s conference. Niall and Inez Heenan’s Fuchsia Lane Cottages near Terryglass, were honoured for their three farm cottages, farm walks and a recently developed conference centre in a barn.