Like my colleagues, I welcome everyone back after what, I hope, was a pleasant summer break. I look forward to a busy and productive term in the Seanad in the months ahead. We are aware that it will be busy, particularly in the lead-up to the budget. I welcome what the Leader said about organising pre-budget debates. Such debates will be extremely valuable. It is most unhelpful of Senator Darragh O'Brien to start scaremongering in such a premature fashion about the budget and, in particular, the property tax. As the Senator well knows, the Government has not yet made a decision on the rate that will apply.

Why are Labour Party Deputies out defending it then?

It is premature to start suggesting anything about the rate that will apply to the property tax, particularly when the Government has not yet made a decision on it. It is extremely important that we seek to move the burden of taxation away from income and onto property or to at least move some of it onto it. That is a principle which everyone in this House should be capable of supporting.

We do not support it. In fact, we completely reject that principle.

Senator Bacik to continue, without interruption.