Developers could be sued for failing to complete housing estates or leaving them in an "unsatisfactory" condition under a new Bill to be debated in the Dáil this week.
The Bill, introduced by the Labour Party, would also allow local authorities to refuse planning permission to developers with a track record of leaving estates unfinished.
"The blight of unfinished housing estates is becoming more commonplace, particularly in the ever-growing commuter counties around Dublin such as Meath and Kildare," said Labour's environment spokesman Eamon Gilmore.
"We want residents who live in or move into unfinished estates to have recourse to the law to seek damages where their estates are left in an unsatisfactory situation."
Under existing legislation, local authorities must apply to the High Court to refuse planning permission for non-completion.
Mr Gilmore said this was an unfair burden on councils, which did not always have the time or resources to pursue a court action. "It should be up to the developer to prove that they will meet their obligations."
