Aontú has launched its General Election manifesto and called on voters to “think outside the political cartel”.
The party is fielding over 25 candidates in its first General Election targeting four constituencies.
Speaking at its launch in Dublin this morning, party leader Peadar Tóibín said Aontú was running on a range of issues including housing, health, Irish unity, rural development and crime.
He said Aontú is “a people-powered, grassroots” organisation that wants unity in a “deeply divided country”
Mr Tóibín said there is division between those who have access to healthcare, housing and safe neighbourhoods and those who do not.
To relieve pressure on the acute healthcare system, the party wants 10% of the current health budget to be assigned to the development and delivery of primary care in communities.
It also wants GPs incentivised to offer a wider range of services and midwife-led care to take pressure off maternity units.
Aontú also wants the establishment of an independent “oversight and risk management “team to monitor for systematic problems in the health service.
On housing, the party says a significant increase in the supply of housing is the key element for resolving the housing crisis.
Amongst its proposals to achieve this is the need to reduce the approval, tendering and procurement process for public housing construction.
Mr Tóibín said Ireland is becoming a city state with an “overheating capital with the worst congestion in Europe”.
Aontú believes there should be two new cities developed, one in the north of Ireland and one in the south.
In its manifesto the party said it believes the National Planning Framework should consider the development of two major international cities to counteract the over dominance of Dublin and Belfast on the social and economic development of the island.
Aontú wants recruitment of additional gardaí and their dispersion across the country.
The party also wants investment in drug rehabilitation and detox services, mandatory drug driving tests and reformed witness protection schemes.
