Eoin Ó Broin: How do you solve a problem like Airbnb?

No reason why a robust regulatory regime that protects hosts, guests and the wider community could not be in place before the end of the year

Listening to some of its more effusive advocates, the ‘collaborative economy’ is the co-op movement of the 21st century. It creates communities, shares wealth and helps build a better world. The reality, of course, is very different. A new generation of brash tech savvy entrepreneurs has become increasingly adept at exploiting regulatory gaps in the services sector.

Their pitch is that they are meeting a demand at competitive prices that others can’t provide.