RIAI publishes election wish list

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has published its election manifesto — essentially its wish list for the incoming government. I've had a browse through, and here are some of the ideas that stood out for me:

• a reduction of Vat to 5% for of all energy upgrade repairs, maintenance and improvement works to private buildings
• speed up the roll out of approved capital projects, and fund these through "innovative" methods such as equity partnerships and build-to-lease schemes
• a site value tax to be introduced on "development land"
• prioritising investment in construction and infrastructure to restore the building sector to its "optimum" worth of €18bn per annum
• a  "Plan for Ireland" to 2030 based on the principles of "sustainable communities, quality placemaking and environmental responsibility"
• a review of the National Spatial Strategy, and more integrated national, regional and local planning, along with a review of the planning system
  
• provision of public services such as health facilities, schools and transport networks to be based on "evidence based projections" of need rather than "crisis management"
• Nama lands to be used to create "sustainable urban neighborhoods" and for public infrastructure and services
• design quality, environmental impact and whole life-cycle cost to be considered ahead of price alone for government tenders
• a more flexible approach to unemployment benefit so those in the building industry can obtain part-time work and start businesses while still collecting benefit

Many of the manifesto's wishes are quite vague though, such as its call for "improvements to building regulatory procedures", and for unspecified "minimum design standards" for all publicly funded buildings. It also says the "theory and practice of sustainable development" should be at the heart of government policy on the built environment and public procurement.

Still, it's very welcome to see the RIAI offering a list of ideas ahead of the election. You can read a summary and download the document here. When it comes to the built environment, what would you like to see the next government prioritise?