Irish Self Catering Federation

Lobbying Organisation Irish Self Catering Federation

Date published 07 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Tourism

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details Registration for Short-term legislation Bill (STTL).

Intended results To advocate for amendments to the Short-Term Letting (Registration) Bill that support a fair and effective regulatory framework for short-term letting while promoting tourism development.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Maire ni Mhurchu CEO

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Invitation to the meeting to the Briefing at the Bushwell Hotel & Copy of the ISCF Briefing Presentation shared with Oireachtas members at the Buswells Hotel on 30th Sept 2025, outlining ISCF members’ concerns regarding proposed legislation affecting Short-Term Rental (STR) property owners.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Councillors Invitation to the meeting to the Briefing at the Bushwell Hotel & Copy of the ISCF Briefing Presentation shared with Oireachtas members at the Buswells Hotel on 30th Sept 2025, outlining ISCF members’ concerns regarding proposed legislation affecting Short-Term Rental (STR) property owners.

Email All TDs Invitation to the meeting to the Briefing at the Bushwell Hotel & Copy of the ISCF Briefing Presentation shared with Oireachtas members at the Buswells Hotel on 30th Sept 2025, outlining ISCF members’ concerns regarding proposed legislation affecting Short-Term Rental (STR) property owners.

Email All Senators Invitation to the meeting to the Briefing at the Bushwell Hotel & Copy of the ISCF Briefing Presentation shared with Oireachtas members at the Buswells Hotel on 30th Sept 2025, outlining ISCF members’ concerns regarding proposed legislation affecting Short-Term Rental (STR) property owners.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

Official invitation sent to Minister Michael Healy-Rae to open the ISCF Conference 2025 at the Armada Hotel, Clare County Council. Attendance confirmed; images from his opening speech included.

Email (2-5)

ISCF Submission – Urgent | Doc: JOC Meeting | Wed 15th Oct, 12:30pm Sent document and supporting information to James O’Connor to facilitate an open debate on the future of the Self-Catering Industry in Ireland. Annual Conference on 10–11 Nov: Day 1 – Sustainability; Day 2 – Legislation. JOC invited to attend and participate. another communication regarding the ISCF Conference, Changes in Planning Proposals and the Press release. “You’re Not the Problem”

Email (1)

Shared key details with Brian Keegan (Special Advisor, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment), including: - ISCF Briefing 2025 – Buswells Hotel - Jim Power Report: An Analysis of the Self-Catering Sector in Ireland - Ireland & EU Ecosystem for Self-Catering - “Stop Scapegoating Self-Catering” Information Card - ISCF Quality Assurance Certification Information

Email (2-5)

Sent Government Official Niamh McGuire an official speaker invitation to the ISCF Conference held on 10–11 November 2025, including the full conference schedule and images after.

Email (1)

A pre-budget briefing was submitted to Minister Peter Burke highlighting that Government proposals for a Register linked to new planning requirements threaten ISCF members’ livelihoods. It noted the lack of dedicated supports for the sector since Covid. Supporting proposals and briefing documents were provided to outline practical alternatives and sector impacts.

Email (2-5)

Email sent to Cllr. Michael Shannon expressing our thanks for opening the ISCF Conference 2025 at the Armada Hotel, Clare County Council. Images included.

Email (2-5)

Sent Minister Peter Burke an official speaker invitation to the ISCF Conference held on 10–11 November 2025, including the full conference schedule.

Email (31-50)

ISCF members have contacted their local TDs, Ministers and Taoiseach to highlight the impact of the STTL/STR legislation on their businesses. They are seeking support to ensure that self-catering properties can continue operating as providers of tourist accommodation, which remains vital to both the local and wider economy.

Email (2-5)

Official invitation and confirmation that Government Official Danny O’Sullivan will attend the 2025 Conference at the Armada Hotel on 11th November, County Clare. Includes Speaker Schedule.

Email (2-5)

Maire Ní Mhurchú, ISCF CEO, engaged with MEPs Michael McNamara, Billy Kelleher, and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú to discuss the STR Register and STTL legislation, the ISCF Position and to provide information on/ and extend invitations to the ISCF Conference 2025.

Meeting (1)

Maire Ní Mhurchú, along with an ISCF member, met with Government Official Niall Collins to discuss the STTL legislation and its effects on the sector.

Informal communication (6-10)

ISCF members at the Ploughing Championships engaged with the following Government officials and MEPs regarding the STTL legislation and its effects on short-term rental property owners, the tourism industry, and the wider economy: - Representatives of Ciarán Mullooly - Maria Walsh MEP - Ryan O’Meara TD - Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP - Michael Cahill TD - Luke Ming Flanagan MEP - Cathal Funchion MEP

Email (1)

Invitation sent to Government Official James O’Connor personally by Maire Ní Mhurchú, ISCF CEO, to the Buswells Hotel for the ISCF Briefing on support for Short-Term Rental (STR) planning proposals. Also suggested, if available, a meeting in the Dáil to discuss the STTL legislation and the ISCF planning proposal.

Informal communication (21-30)

Maire ni Mhurchu CEO ISCF, has contacted the following TD's by SMS (T) and had informal communications/meetings (M) in the Buswell Hotel. All Oireachtas Tourism Committee members have been tagged in social media posts. Malcolm Byrne - T, M Christopher o Sullivan T, M Gillian Toole - T, M Mattie McGrath (T, M) James o Connor (T, M) John McGuinness (T, M) Michael Healy Rae - (T, M) Rose Conway Walsh (T, M) Pierce Doherty (T) John Clendennen (T)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Michael Healy-Rae Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Jackie Healy-Rae Councillor (Kerry County Council)

Christopher O’Sullivan Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Johnny Healy-Rae Councillor (Kerry County Council)

James Lawless Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Martin Heydon Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Jim O'Callaghan Minister (Department of Justice)

James Browne Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Minister (Department of Defence)

Patrick O'Donovan Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Dara Calleary Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)

Peter Burke Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Brian Keegan Special Advisor (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Michael Shannon Councillor (Clare County Council)

Michael J. McGrath Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)

Darragh O'Brien Minister (Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment)

Michael McNamara MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP (European Parliament)

Niall Collins Minister of State (Department of Justice)

Micheál Martin Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ciaran Mullooly MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Kathleen Funchion MEP (European Parliament)

James O'Connor TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Malcolm Byrne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Gillian Toole TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mattie McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

James O'Connor TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John McGuinness TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Rose Conway-Walsh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pearse Doherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Clendennen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ryan O'Meara TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)