The by-elections may be a persistent presence, but for the time being the parties are concentrating on the contest for the Aras. Our new President will be inaugurated on November 11th. It will be an all-day occasion - a formal ceremony in front of about 600 people including the Government, Oireachtas members, the judiciary, the Council of State - which now includes ex-President Mary Robinson - and the diplomatic corps, in Dublin Castle in the morning. Mrs Robinson will be making her first visit home since she resigned. This may be followed by a quick reception before the new President progresses to the Aras where, if she or he follows tradition, there will be a lunch for the Council of State. Then between 1,000 and 1,500 will be guests of the Taoiseach at a reception in the Castle that night.
Of course, the new President may have different ideas, in which case, the Government will change the format.