Greens briefing:The Green Party has proposed the introduction of a new land use and planning authority to combat the growing problem of urban sprawl.
Speaking at the launch of its paper on housing, Green Party energy spokesman Eamon Ryan also said the party favoured the introduction of competition in the bus market, in marked contrast to potential coalition partners the Labour Party.
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin yesterday, Green TDs claimed the party's target of building 10,000 social housing units a year was realistic, despite the fact that the current output in this sector is under 6,500.
Green Party housing spokesman Ciarán Cuffe said the provision of additional staff and resources for local councils, combined with a reduction in red tape, would enable the country to achieve this target.
A major reform of the building regulation system is also planned, with mandatory independent building inspections for new homes to ensure they comply with basic building standards. New laws would be introduced to improve energy efficiencies in new homes by 60 per cent.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Ryan said the establishment of a new land use and transport authority was an "essential priority" for the party if elected to government, and would cover the entire State.
The new authority would be charged with regulating the public transport sector, and would have responsibility for deciding on bus routes and who operated them.