The issues of planning permission and the impending legislation for the registration of self catering properties dominated discussion at the Annual Conference of the Irish Self Catering Federation in Leopardstown.
Contributions from the podium and the floor questioned whether the industry would be viable if planning permission issues were not addressed and legacy self catering and bed and breakfast properties were allowed contained to trade.
A report by economist jim Power estimates that one in six beds available to irish tourism are in the self catering sector.
Speakers at the event, moderated by Eoghan Corry, included:
- Peter Boland (Car Rental Council)
- Fiona Campbell – (Scotland association of self catering)
- Trevor Campbell (Go Power)
- Megan Campbell (Unique Irish Homes)
- Orla Canavan (Fáilte Ireland)
- Barry Caslin (Teagasc)
- Shane Clark (Tourism Ireland)
- Adrian Cummins (RAI)
- Geraldine Curran (Pheasant’s Rest Meath)
- Matt Curtis (Smart City Policy Group US)
- Matt Curtis of Smart City USA
- John D’Arcy (SME Owner)
- Christopher Dillon (Avantio)
- Alan Evans (Adare 2027 Ryder Cup)
- Anne Finn (SME owner)
- Paula Irwin (Owner, Decoy Country Cottages)
- Billy Kelleher MEP
- Robert Kennedy (Supercontrol)
- Brendan Kenny (IAAT)
- Derek Keogh (ISCF)
- Eduardo Miranda (Portugal ALEP)
- David Murray (Dept of Housing)
- Derek Nolan (Airbnb Public Policy)
- Tomas O’Keeffe (Suir Valley Cottage)
- Eoghan O’Mara Walsh of ITIC
- Deirdre O’Shea (Clare County Council)
- Tandy O’Sullivan (JM Energy)
- Huw O’Toole (Nordic Ireland)
- Charlie Reith (Expedia)
- Fergus Sharkey (SEAI)
- Peter Warburton (Cottages for Couples)
