A personalised number plates scheme should be introduced for cars, and all monies raised should go to initiatives for the homeless, according to a two-issue Independent candidate.
Mr Norman Gray (46) says he is standing because he is angry "about two things mainly - homelessness and traffic".
The novice candidate believes "Ireland should follow the example of Germany and other countries by introducing a scheme of personalised number plates for cars.
"In Germany they are called wish numbers. We should call them national interest numbers." He says in some instances, prices of up to €50,000 are paid for personalised licence plates.
An auctioneer and business consultant in Ranelagh, he feels there are many more homeless people around and this would be a great way to fund projects for them.
However, charities for the homeless are somewhat sceptical about the initiative. "We would see it as a good idea, but very much as a bonus and not a substitute for guaranteed exchequer funding," a spokesman for Focus Ireland said.
"There is no way of knowing what the level of funds would be. It might take off really well and dry up six months later, when everyone has one, especially given the size of the Irish market."
Focus Ireland needs assured funding. In 2000, it received £1,127,000 through fund-raising and £3,294,000 in revenue-based grants from various State bodies and Government Departments to fund its services and housing developments.
A spokeswoman for the Simon Community declined to comment directly on the proposal. Speaking in general terms, she said funding would not solve the problem of homelessness.
"What is required is a fundamental shift in Government policy around homelessness."
Currently, motorists can order a personalised number in advance, at a cost of €317, which goes straight to the exchequer.
A spokesman for the Revenue Commissioners said the idea had been "bandied" about before, as a commercial operation, but it would require policy and legislative changes.
"That is a matter for the Department of Finance."
Mr Gray's traffic ideas include integrated public transport ticketing and pedestrian bridges on O'Connell street in Dublin.
