Just when Bertie Ahern and Co thought that everything was going swimmingly along comes the X case, Mark II. That certainly wiped the smile from Bertie's face. It's often said that when things are quiet, then watch out.
Eyebrows were raised when it was learned that Private Notice Questions on the whole issue of abortion were allowed by the Ceann Comhairle, Seamus Pattison. A number of the older heads were suggesting that this wouldn't have happened in bygone days.
Brian Cowen, the Minister for Health, was detailed to come in and answer on behalf of the Government. He batted the first number of questions by declining to get involved in the details of the current case and merely talked in generalities. It was only when Derek McDowell of Labour asked him how he saw the future evolve that Cowen's answer led to a sharp intake of breath on all sides of the Chamber.
In effect, he was saying it was the Government's view that one way or the other, whether by a constitutional amendment or by legislation or a combination of both, the Government saw the matter being referred back to the people. This was confirming what Bertie Ahern had said before the election as leader of the opposition. Even those who favoured a referendum were taken aback by Cowen's forthrightness.
However, Drapier can see a lot of water flowing under the bridge before we get to a referendum stage. Brian Cowen mentioned quite a lot of bridges to be crossed before then, including a consultation process, Green Paper and all party committee. The debate in the Dail was very restrained, and showed how all sides are acutely conscious of the need to tread warily. Having been in government for the last number of years, the opposition weren't killing themselves to put one over Cowen and the Government.
All in all, our hearts go out to the dilemma facing the girl and her parents and all others involved in the decision as to how to proceed.
On Questions & Answers this week Labour's Roisin Shortall was reluctant to discuss the case, on the basis that she is the chairwoman of the Eastern Health Board, under whose care the girl is.
She wasn't so reticent in discussing another issue raised in the same programme regarding the funding of political parties and candidates. She was answering a question regarding Noel Dempsey's weekend comments on possible amendment of the legislation covering this.
Readers will recall that Dempsey did not find favour with the State paying candidates to contest elections. Ms Shortall announced "I'm not to be bought", and went on to state that she wouldn't accept donations from individuals or big business.
Drapier commends her for her righteousness but he, along with a number of his colleagues, was extremely interested in reading recently details regarding contributions made to failed candidates under the new electoral Bill. This showed that a lot of the unsuccessful Labour candidates were quite successful in obtaining relatively large sums of money from trade unions which chose to sponsor them individually. So far, we have not heard from the successful Labour candidates like Roisin Shortall as to how much they received from unions.
No doubt they will differentiate between receiving money from trade unions and from big business. But surely, like big business, unions have their own interests, which they might like to have promoted by their sponsored TD?
The Labour Party, in government and now in opposition, has pushed the agenda of putting political funding on a statutory footing, but Drapier cannot recall it pledging to rule out trade-union funding.
This issue of Labour Party candidates receiving money from unions must raise the question whether the union members are happy (or indeed aware) that a proportion of their hard-earned wages is going to a political party which they might not support or vote for.
Perhaps the Labour Party could, in the spirit of openness and equity, add to the equation how their individual candidates and the party generally are funded by the trade-union movement. Such a discussion might be enlightening.
Drapier and his colleagues were delighted to hear last weekend that the Government has finally decided to bite the bullet regarding the chronic accommodation problem in the Leinster House complex. Of course, some media commentators will make out that we are gilding the lily, but the fact is that improvement is essential because of the conditions in which not only TDs and senators are working but also the hundreds of staff.
The style of the new Ceann Comhairle is much different from his predecessor's, Sean Treacy. His laid-back attitude is causing much comment. The opposition is having a field day in that he seems to allow any matter to be raised without notice.
Previously, strict interpretation of the Standing Orders was thought to be too restrictive (and consequently favouring the Government). Now, the Government, and particularly Bertie Ahern, is constantly put on the stop about literally every issue under the sun.
Not that Bertie seems to mind. He likes to answer each and every query. Drapier supposes this is why he is so universally liked, but it could eventually trip him up.
The seemingly endless Order of Business (at the start of each day) this week was livened up by the ever-reliable Pat Rabbitte, who we all missed when he was in government. Now that he is back to his usual self in opposition, his wit is a joy.
He had us all in stitches by asking Bertie to state whether his search parties had yet located the missing Albert. Amid laughter, the Ceann Comhairle said this issue did not arise at that stage. Rabbitte waited for the laughter to die down and looking skyward proclaimed: "If you're out there listening, Albert, please phone home." But, seriously, for the Government at least, Albert's absence is causing grave disquiet. Some say it could be sour grapes after his presidential loss. Some of his enemies within his party are saying that those he unceremoniously demoted had to bite their tongues and vote for his government despite their dislike of him, that disappointed members had a duty to turn up to vote for their party. The situation is acute for the minority Government relying on independents.
There can be no doubting the need to have all hands on deck. The opposition knows this only too well and is waiting in the wings. No doubt we will see more of Albert in the coming weeks.
The rowdy scenes on Thursday are further proof that the Justice portfolio is a poisoned chalice. The shoe is on the other foot now in that John O'Donoghue is the hunted; in opposition he was the hunter par excellence.
Next week the opposition will again get its teeth into him on the courts debate, but no doubt he will accuse his predecessor of putting into law the offending piece of legislation.