Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

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.