MR MICHAEL McDowell has indicated he is leaving active politics following his eventual defeat in the long Dublin South East constituency count on Saturday.
The advice "never say never" is always valid in politics, and Mr McDowell is understandably reluctant to commit himself permanently to the role of political onlooker, especially when the Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrats coalition government will depend for its survival on several Independents.
As the Green Party's Mr John Gormley was confirmed elected on Saturday, Mr McDowell spoke of the honour and privilege it had been to serve the people of Dublin South East, adding: "I look forward to a private life and hope whatever I do, I will be of equal service to the community.
But later the Progressive Democrats finance spokesman declined to be definitive about his political future. And Ms Mary Harney said she would do everything in her power to persuade him to run for election again.
It is hard to get rid of the political "bug". Mr McDowell discovered that in 1989 when he was last defeated in a general election. Then, he spent three years acting as the political conscience of the party as it shared government with Fianna Fail.
He became the man Fianna Fail loved to hate as he harangued the party and its ministers about low standards and policy failures.
At the same time, he inoculated Progressive Democrats ministers against the absorbing embrace of former colleagues and maintained a distinctive profile for his party.
His ambition to become Attorney General has been long standing. It was unfulfilled in 1989, and it seems he will again be disappointed. A position in the Seanad does not appeal. It was rejected in 1989, and nothing has changed in the meantime.
Mr McDowell will most likely concentrate on building up his legal practice at the Bar, while taking a peripheral interest in politics.
His role within the Progressive Democrats went far beyond his position as finance spokesman. To a considerable extent, Mr McDowell was the party's ideologue, the man who carried the standard with the slogan "Be radical or redundant".
He was also chief tactician in parliamentary terms and provided an important Constitution based analysis of government legislation.
His support for Mary Harney, following the resignation of Mr Des O'Malley as party leader in 1993, was crucial in the defeat of Mr Pat Cox. But they have had their differences since then.
As a trustee of the Progressive Democrats, Mr McDowell is deeply involved with policy formation groups. He is also an ex officio member of the general council and of the party's executive.
Such involvement doesn't usually end overnight. Especially at this time of postelection trauma, when the party desperately needs his intelligence and his insight.
Politics may have Michael McDowell to kick around for a little while longer.