Drapier: A presidential election is due in 2004. Mrs McAleese has done a really good job. She has won admirers on all sides of both Houses. When push comes to shove, President McAleese will get cross-party support if she expresses an interest in a second term.
The President and her husband, Martin, are people of deep conviction, and are a most unassuming couple. Drapier did not advocate support for her seven years ago, but has become an ardent admirer since. Dignity and down-to-earthness have been the hallmarks of this presidency.
On a somewhat different note, Drapier has been looking at the performance of some political and journalistic colleagues during the year.
As good parliamentary performers Drapier has noticed Sean Haughey and Pat Carey of Fianna Fáil, Paul Bradford and Fergus O'Dowd of Fine Gael, Róisín Shortall of Labour and Paul Gogarty of the PDs as solid and consistent, if the latter could remember that charitable donations should be given in private.
Drapier hopes Paul, who celebrates his 35th birthday today, has a happy birthday, and notes that 35-year-old civil servants do not get the salary of a principal officer from day one. If new Dáil secretaries can have their starting salaries set at a lower rate the same principle could apply to new and younger TDs. Perhaps he has a point.
Journalists who made their mark included Joseph O'Malley, Stephen Collins, Michael O'Regan, Fionnán Sheahan, John Downing, Gene McKenna, Sean O'Rourke, Áine Lawlor, Jerome O'Reilly, Bairbre Power, Pat Leahy, Mark Costigan, John Waters and Olivia O'Leary.
Drapier reserves the laurels this year for Mark Hennessy for his professionalism and accurate reporting, and RTÉ's George Lee for clarity and sheer bottle. Paddy Clancy, who "retired" during the year, is a decent skin, and deserves special mention.
Drapier noted with respect the mature judgement of most senior journalists when the Barron Report was published. This report deals with profound and heart-rending matters. Pursuit of justice and truth should not be allowed become the subject of spin.
The award for the most determined parliamentarian of the year goes to Charlie McCreevy for his able defence of changes in the EU's economic Stability and Growth Pact, where he won new admirers.
Best parliamentary performer award goes to the witty Pat Rabbitte, and the most courageous parliamentarian award goes to Enda Kenny for his clear-minded pronouncements on the issues of neutrality, Iraq and benchmarking.
Best parliamentary storyteller of the year is Joe O'Toole for his marvellous account of growing up in Dingle, Looking under Stones.
The best parliamentary committee nominations go to: the Foreign Affairs Committee for pursuing issues of substance, often with little or no public acknowledgement; the European Affairs Committee for its innovative work on EU scrutiny; the Public Accounts Committee for unearthing more wasted public funds; the Enterprise and Small Business Committee for calling the Tánaiste to account on embryo research; and the Transport Committee for managing to raise its profile and question some crazy infrastructural investment projects.
Seanad Éireann gets eight out of 10 for opening proceedings to exchanges with MEPs and visiting dignitaries.
The failure of the Italian EU presidency to conclude the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on a new treaty presents real challenges for Ireland's politicians in the new year.
The Treaty of Dublin is now a real possibility. Timing is everything. Will Bertie Ahern try to conclude the IGC before the Spanish elections in March? It would make a lot of sense if he does. Though the attitude of Poland presents more of a difficulty than that of Spain. This does not augur well for a smooth-running enlarged EU.
From March to European Parliament election day in June will be a frenzied time, with few opportunities to cut a deal. Expect the new Government jet to be busy criss-crossing the EU in the opening weeks of 2004.
The New Year will also see conventions to select European Parliament candidates. Drapier expects one or two big surprises among candidates nominated.
When the Irish EU presidency ends in June, and with local and European elections out of the way, there will be a Cabinet reshuffle before the summer recess. There are interesting times ahead.
Drapier wonders what Christmas epithets could be applied to parliamentary colleagues.
The eight PDs could be Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Severe cuts in home-help services could see the Minister for Older People, the affable Ivor Callely, cast as Scrooge. With Trevor Sargent as Santa and John Gormley as his assistant, Santa's reindeers - Dasher, Prancer, Dancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder, Blitzen and Rudolf - could be played by the remaining nine Green Party and even greener Sinn Féin TDs, with, in order of your choice, deputies Ó Caolain, Boyle, Gogarty, Ó Snodaigh, Crowe, Cuffe, Morgan, Ryan and Ferris.
The whole show could be put on at Punchestown, with Charlie McCreevy and Joe Walsh as joint producers. Otherwise a version of Alice in Parlonland could take place if the yellow brick road was followed a little further inland.
Alternatively, Cinderella could be Government chief whip Mary Hanafin as she almost always gets us home before midnight. Fellow whips Bernard Durkan of Fine Gael and Labour's Emmet Stagg could play the role of the two ugly sisters who constantly try to ruin the Government's party.
The Taoiseach could play Prince Charming, but if the panto is held in Leinster House there would be no performance on Thursday.
While some are considering a visit to the panto others will be hoping for a Christmas box as new Dáil constituency boundaries are about to be announced. Latest rumour has it that Dublin Central and South Central will have only marginal changes, and that Dublin North Central may become a three-seater.
Drapier wonders, with all the talk of decentralisation, will the Boundary Commission actually recommend a constituency of Dublin De-Central!
Revisions in Cork may be more profound, and Donegal boundary changes could bring a surprise for sitting TDs.
Part of Westmeath is likely to be lost to Meath, which will become two three-seat constituencies. That will not suit Donnie Cassidy who, in any event, was more at ease in the Seanad and may well seek to return there. Drapier predicts a younger O'Rourke or Lenihan to carry the flag for Fianna Fáil in a new Westmeath constituency. As Danny De Vito said in LA Confidential: "Remember where you heard it first; off the record, on the QT and strictly hush-hush."
Nollaig shona daoibh.