Fianna Fáil is calling on Tourism Ireland and Cork Tourism to run an advertising campaign to encourage homeowners with spare capacity to enter into the Bed & Breakfast (B&B) or Airbnb business.

Cork South West TD, Margaret Murphy O'Mahony, said figures from Cork Airport showed a 19% increase in traffic in August 2016.

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She said: "Without extra capacity, prices will continue to rise, and put off tourists. We cannot let this happen. We have seven months until the start of the 2017 season to get it right.

"There simply aren't enough hotels, B&Bs or guesthouses, especially in West Cork. This is damaging our ability to attract tourists, and support the many amazing tourist attractions in the area.

"As well as a welcome source of additional income, it will ensure that Cork continues to benefit as a whole from the increased number of people coming to visit our country."

(CD/JP)