Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
305. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide a detailed list of all measures the serviced accommodation sector is obliged to comply with as part of registration with Fáilte Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35213/25]
View answerTourism accommodation in Ireland is known for its excellent quality and diversity.
Fáilte Ireland as Ireland's National Tourism Development Authority has responsibility for ensuring that tourist accommodation maintains the highest standards of quality and meets consumer needs. It carries out this function by setting the requirements for the various categories of accommodation and through the regular monitoring of the standards in all forms of approved accommodation.
Under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2016 Fáilte Ireland has specific powers and functions in relation to the registration and grading of tourist accommodation. These registration and classification responsibilities cover accommodation legislation, monitoring of product quality, customer relations and in particular the management of appointed sub-contractors for the inspection and registration assessment of various accommodation categories.
The Tourist Traffic Acts 1939 - 2016, provides that any premises using a prescribed term such as ‘Hotel’ or ‘Guest House’ must be registered with Fáilte Ireland and meet the criteria as set out in the relevant regulation.
The Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for each accommodation category set out in detail all measures that must be complied with when using prescribed terms under the Tourist Traffic Acts and include the Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Guest Houses 2003; Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Holiday Hostels and Youth Hostels 2007; Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Hotels 2016; Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Short Term Tourism Accommodation Rental 2018 and Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations for Holiday Camps 2018.
Under these regulations there is a requirement for all tourist accommodation providers to meet their statutory obligation which include but are not limited to:
• Complying with the Planning and Development Acts, 1963-2024 (as amended or extended) and in possession of a Certificate of Compliance in relation to the planning permission granted and the building regulations including all current legislation.
• Complying with the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 (as amended or extended) and with any Regulations made thereunder (as amended or extended), and in possession of a valid Fire Safety Certificate.
• Having notified the HSE in accordance with Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and under Regulation 6 of S.I. No 369 of 2006 as amended and in compliance with Food Safety Regulations.
Fáilte Ireland also manages a robust system of classification for hotels and guesthouses. These schemes were developed in close consultation with the Irish Hotels Federation and provide greater information and transparency to the consumer on the different levels of facilities and services on offer throughout Ireland. Hotels and guesthouses must attain the minimum entry level requirements (one star in the case of guesthouses and 2 stars in the case of hotels) in order to comply with the relevant Registration and Renewal of Registration Regulations.
All these factors contribute to the high standard and broad mix of serviced tourist accommodation on offer throughout the country.
