Dublin’s four local authorities will meet this month to commence their drive for national legislation to enable councils to implement a tourist tax.

Representatives are coming together to lobby the government to give councils the power to introduce a “transient visitor levy” on overnight stays in hotels, short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnbs, and other accommodation.

The proposed tax, led by the Transient Visitor Levy Working Group, would be applied at a local level, meaning individual councils would have the power to impose the tax as they see fit, or choose not to impose it at all.

So, should we have it? And, how does it work in other countries?

Joining Kieran to discuss is Labour Councillor for Galway County Council, Helen Ogbu, Reuters Chief Correspondent for Italy, Crispian Balmer and Journalist with “The Local” in Germany, Paul Krantz.