By Elaine Loughlin, political reporter

Developers would be subject to “use it or lose it” penalties under Fianna Fáil plans.

The party has set out its proposals for Dublin city this afternoon, which would include a directly elected mayor, a freeze on public transport fares and two new garda units to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious organised crime.

Fianna Fáil would give local authorities new ‘use it or lose it’ powers to encourage developers to build and stop “land hoarding”.

Under to plan Dublin councils would also be urged to provide automatic residential planning permission within building regulations to small vacant sites in the city and inner suburbs.

However, this would expire within two years if not used, and developers could face other monetary penalties.

The party’s Dublin spokesman Darragh O’Brien said: “We do believe in penalties we don’t want people hoarding land there is a housing crisis there.

“It would be a penalty in relation to a tax penalty and also looking at rezoning for land. We did propose this in the previous government as well where you would have a penalty of up to 80% of the value if that was sold on and it wasn’t used in the time.

“What we are trying it do is incentivise people to move it along.”

Mr O’Brien said the measures outlined in ‘A Dublin for All’ are aimed at tackling crime and homelessness, and improving health and transport services.

Rent Supplement levels will be increased by 10% to support vulnerable households and an extra 700 garda would be deployed in the capital.

Mr O’Brien said: “We will also get tough on burglars. Parts of the capital have seen a jump of almost 80% in recorded burglaries over the past two years.

“We will have mandatory sentences for repeat burglary offenders.

“We will also establish a dedicated Dublin City Centre Garda Public Order Unit to combat drug dealing and anti-social behaviour on the capital’s main commercial streets” he said.