The Government has said it will not oppose a new opposition bill to tackle land hoarding.
The proposed legislation was tabled in the Dáil tonight by Independent TD Mick Wallace.
The Urban Regeneration and Housing Amendment Bill is aimed at encouraging land owners to develop zoned land, a move which he said would ultimately reduce the price of housing.
However, Deputy Wallace admitted that a referendum may be needed to guarantee the constitutionality of some of the provisions in the bill.
The legislation would increase the vacant site levy, remove exemptions, and provide stricter definitions of what constitutes a vacant site.
Introducing the bill, Deputy Wallace said the Government should be willing to defend the legislation if it was challenged in the courts on the grounds of constitutionality, or hold a referendum.
He said that 99% of the people of Ireland, including builders, would benefit from the legislation, but land bankers would not.
"Nobody is a winner with housing being ridiculously priced, it leads to rents being ridiculously priced"
"It beggars belief that 13 consecutive governments didn't go there and deal with it," he said.
Deputy Wallace added that if the Government was genuinely interested in dealing with overpriced housing and land, it should support the bill.
He called on the Government to allow the constitutionality of the legislation to be "tested through the courts" and if necessary "though a referendum".
Minister of State at the Department of Housing Damien English said the Government would not oppose the bill "at this stage".
He said the Government has tried to bring in balanced reforms which would stand up to a legal challenge.
Fianna Fáil TD Darragh O'Brien said his party would be backing the bill.
Sinn Féin's Eoin ÓBroin said his party too would be "warmly supporting" the bill, and called for punitive penalties to prevent land hoarders.
However, he said the Government was dishonestly suggesting it supported the intention of the legislation when in reality it would prevent the bill from ever coming to committee stage.
