The Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) has called for an annual tax on development land saying the National Development Plan is a "charter for land speculators and environmental despoilation".

The tax would encourage builders to develop quickly and would discourage people from holding land. The proposal is suggested instead of the compulsory purchases proposed in the Planning and Development Bill.

The Irish Builders' Association says such a move would lead to further increases in the value of land and that it is a misconception that builders have numerous lands ready to be used.