Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú, has said that his party's Operation Shamrock initiative would build accommodation for people who have emigrated from Ireland.

Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne, the candidate for Meath West said that many Irish young people have "voted with their feet" and have had to go to Australia and Canada.

Mr Tóibín said that there are exemptions in current planning laws which allow for the building of homes for construction workers.

"I'm being told by builders that they can't get staff or that the staffing levels are pushing the prices up of the labor costs.

He said he wanted the next government to look at government land and use the planning exemption to build fast so that people can come home.

He said that, if possible, these will be permanent structures, but that his party would also consider building modular homes.