The Green Party has launched its manifesto and has announced that it will be running candidates in 24 constituencies across the country.
The party's manifesto proposes the spending of an extra €1 billion on public services without increasing personal income tax.
Raising non-personal taxes by 0.5 per cent of GDP per annum and increasing corporation tax to 15 per cent are among the ways suggested by the Greens to fund public spending on health, education, public services and the environment.
The party wants to increase taxation levels on businesses as well as introducing an industrial energy tax to reduce the levels of pollution from businesses.
It is also proposing a 5% levy on the profits of financial institutions.
Reducing employers and employees PRSI and initiating a phased refundable tax credit system are the Green Party’s preferred option to reverse the individualisation tax system introduced by the Fianna Fail/PD coalition.
The Greens have also demanded that 20 per cent of electricity be generated via renewable means by 2010.
The party is also committed to focusing spending on the provision of public services under the National Development Plan and reducing the emphasis on spending on roads.