Proposal to place levy on owners of holiday homes in Mayo taking shape

by Caoimhin Rowland

Mayo County Council is formulating a policy to place a tax on holiday homes.

The move follows a decision by the authority's housing strategic policy committee to voice stong support for the introduction of the levy on owners of second homes in the county.

This has given renewed momentum behind the controversial proposal, with committee chairman, Councillor Peter Flynn citing a recent report on Airbnbs in Mayo.

The report indicated that one in every three residence in Westport are holiday homes, solidifying his decision to pursue 'a radical approach'.

The approach, however, is in direct opposition to legal advice circulated to councillors following a previous meeting when the tax was first debated.

That advice recommended not proceeding with the proposal.

Councillor Flynn expressed disappointment that a request for legal representatives to attend their meeting this week went unanswered.

Tom Gilligan, director of services, Mayo County Council, said he had asked if a holiday home tax would be possible to introduce, and the answer was that it would require national legislation.

Councillors have now approved a proposal to explore the issue further and to consult an external legal team.

Councillor Flynn insisted that the onus of proving whether a property is a second home should rest with the homeowner, not the council.

“We know from the electoral register whether people are ordinarily resident here. If it’s not on the register, it’s a second home.”

The precise figure for the proposed tax has not yet been determined.

The next step is for Mr. Gilligan to use the six to eight weeks until the next Housing SPC meeting to formulate a concrete proposal, which will then go before a full meeting of Mayo County Council.