I agree very much with Senator O'Donovan, who is concerned about the plight of the people of Dursey Island. I hope the matter can be resolved satisfactorily soon in the residents' favour.

Much rubbish has been spoken on the property tax. Yesterday morning on Radio Kerry, I had an encounter with a certain Senator who is not present.

Is the Senator seeking a debate on this issue?

We are past debates. Essentially, I do not see why we should be divided on this issue. The Leader might clarify the matter. The commitment to a property tax is a commitment that the current Government inherited from its predecessor. I hate to see people opposing a measure they introduced themselves. I tried to make this point yesterday but want to reinforce it today. There should not be any confusion on this matter. Information is widespread. Since yesterday, we have the relevant information on the www.revenue.ie website, and there is a property price register. There are so many different ways of checking what a property is worth that there can be no doubt whatsoever. One does not have to accept the listed value as the tax is self-assessed. One will know the trends in one's area and there will be comparative data available.

Will we have to pay a professional a fee to assess our property?

One will not have to do that at all. The Senator should consult me afterwards.

I will.

Is the Senator not to be a valuer?

I would be delighted. What the Senator suggested will not be necessary at all.

Is he not an auctioneer or valuer?

Senator Coghlan without interruption.

If one is dissatisfied with the guide price, one can make that clear to the Revenue Commissioners, which will be reasonable. It is a self-assessed tax.

Is the Senator seeking a debate on this issue?

A debate is not necessary. I mention no names and I am not advertising-----

Here comes the dictatorship. No debate necessary. Abolish the Seanad.

Has the Senator a question for the Leader?

I am sure the Leader will clarify that this is a measure that we have inherited, whether we like it or not.

From whom?

The previous Administration. You know those guys well.

Do not blame us.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

The Leader can clarify what I am asking.

I dtosach báire, ba mhaith liom tagairt don mhéid a bhí le rá ag mo chomhghleacaí as Gaillimh, an Seanadóir Michael Mullins. Arís, tá sé ag déanamh mí-chur síos ar an méid atá á dhéanamh ag Sinn Féin ó Thuaidh agus ó Dheas. Is trua é nár fhan sé leis an bhfreagra a chlos. I wish to put on record that Senator Mullins has misrepresented the Sinn Féin policy once more from his lofty pedestal. It is a shame he did not stay to hear the retort to that. It is to be hoped that it will be possible at some stage to discuss the issue.

I have great time for my esteemed colleague, Senator Paul Coghlan, who has just spoken, but I wonder what planet he is living on after seeing some of the newspaper reports of recent days. Figures published by the Commission for Energy Regulation show the number of houses that are connected to gas and electricity meters. They also show that 2,479 domestic customers had their gas supply cut off between July and September last year. In addition, 4,181 households had electricity disconnected in the third quarter of 2012. Over the past two years, gas and electricity prices have risen by an average of 30%, with further increases likely later this year. A total of 6,572 homes had their gas supply cut off in the first nine months of 2012, more than the total for the previous year. Similarly, 12,854 households had their electricity supply cut off in the first three quarters of 2012, in addition to the almost 17,800 customers disconnected during 2011. The issue about the property tax is not how it should be collected but about the people who do not have the ability to pay.

Hear, hear.

What about all the households who cannot afford to pay a property tax?

That is provided for.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh, without interruption.

To tell this House that there were no options is completely untrue. The Government had many options, but it took the option of following the tweedledum and tweedledee politics of Fianna Fáil.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I do.

We inherited it.

You inherited it, but you did not have to follow it. We suggested other options.

Senator Ó Clochartaigh, without interruption.

I have asked my question on a number of occasions. When will we have a debate in these Houses on how to measure poverty in Ireland today? It is quite obvious that there are households that are really struggling at present.

Senator, you are way over time.

They are in poverty, and we must address that. The property tax will only compound their situation. It should be scrapped as soon as possible.