Launching its Assembly election manifesto, Alliance picked up on the major issue which all the parties are being confronted with on the doorsteps.

The proposal would mean a reduction in the regional rate element which is added to rates set by the province's 26 councils for household bills.

Party leader David Ford also reiterated his argument that on-going segregation in the province costs £1bn a year which could be redirected to public services.

"We have identified the savings to be made by ending segregation and re-directing expenditure to priority areas," he told the event in Belfast.

"Other parties have simply produced wish lists and are intent on sending the begging bowl (for an economic peace dividend) to Whitehall and to Leinster House."

In a wide-ranging blueprint, Alliance also called for:

• abolition of tuition fees;

• free personal care for older people, and;

• free dental and eye check-ups.

On integrated education, the party repeated its demand for a target of 10% of children in integrated schools in three years time - and a guarantee of the right of any parent to send their child to an integrated school.

The manifesto also called for the establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency, with powers to enforce legislation and for mechanisms to ensure all migrant workers and immigrants have full access to public services and employment rights.

Mr Ford went on: "The four tribal parties totally failed to deliver a shared future in the last Executive, when they had the opportunity.

"We know from responses on the doorsteps that local people are fed up with divisive rhetoric and can see that for Northern Ireland to work, we need a shared future and a party that will deliver it.

"The people of Northern Ireland have the power to make this vision a reality by voting Alliance.

"Only Alliance will deliver for everyone and only Alliance, through ending segregation, has the vision to make real improvements in Northern Ireland."