Green Party manifesto:The Green Party has highlighted tackling climate change, public transport and "prudent" tax reform in its election manifesto.
In the 34-page document, the party has also committed itself to reform of the political system, along with a series of reforms to the planning laws.
If elected, the party will seek to enshrine a 3 per cent annual cut in carbon emissions every year over the lifetime of the next government.
The social partnership model would be changed to include energy targets as part of negotiations, which would be put at the centre of economic planning.
New national building standards would be introduced to require that new homes be 60 per cent more energy efficient than the current standards.
Thirty per cent of domestic energy requirements would also be met from renewable sources under the Green proposals.
Incentives and infrastructure would also be created to encourage the development of off-shore wind farms, biomass and other renewable power generation facilities.
The introduction of a €20 a tonne carbon tax is a core element of the manifesto. This tax would see the price of a litre of fuel increase by between four and five cent, the party states, but the revenue would be used to ensure a reduction in PRSI rates.
The abolition of vehicle registration tax and motor tax is another measure promised by the party. This would be replaced with an environmental levy on fuel, which would increase petrol prices by 2.5 cent a year over a 10-year period.
The party's manifesto proposes no changes to the personal tax rates, but has promised that tax credits and bands would be index-linked to ensure they are not eroded by inflation.
It is also committed to maintaining corporation tax at its current 12.5 per cent rate and to reducing VAT rates by one percentage point to 20 per cent and 12.5 per cent.
However, the party has proposed increasing capital gains tax by five points to 25 per cent, claiming this would "reduce inequity" where people who derive an income from selling assets pay a lower tax than those who pay tax on their regular income.
It is also proposing the introduction of a levy on bank profits, capped at €200 million a year.
A reform of the capital allowance system and corporate tax reliefs are also promised. The Greens also propose to replace commercial rates with a tax based on the value of sites rather than the buildings on them.
A windfall tax of 5 per cent on rezoned land is also proposed.
Road safety improvements will be given priority by the party ahead of motorway construction, the manifesto states, while the party wants to give priority to public transport expenditure ahead of roads. It will, however, "respect existing road contracts".
Additional Luas lines on top of those proposed in Transport 21 are included in the manifesto, alongside new light rail systems for Cork and Galway.
The reopening of the western rail corridor and a new commuter service for Limerick feature in the transport section too.
A 10,000-unit annual target for social and affordable housing has been set, combined with the enshrinement in law of the right to housing.
Stamp duty would be abolished for older couples who are downsizing and for first-time buyers who are purchasing these homes.
Reforms of planning laws and guidelines to ensure against urban sprawl and ensure sufficient facilities for new communities are included in the manifesto.
On health, the party has proposed 800 additional acute and step-down beds a year and free medical cards for under-sixes.
On agriculture, it has promised to lobby at international level to protect domestic agriculture from being undercut by cheaper imports not subject to the same quality standards as in Ireland.