The House holds its collective breath for peace

The peace process has caused us all, over the years, to experience emotional highs and lows. It was no different this week; we were collectively holding our breath, waiting to see how the next few days and weeks will turn out. The bombs in Moira, Portadown and Belfast were intimidatory in the extreme, and while it was being suggested that the IRA was not responsible, there is no doubt that republican elements were behind them.

One of the main issues is whether the IRA was behind them or if some elements were endeavouring to destabilise Adams's and Sinn Fein's efforts. The LVF got its retaliation with a bomb in Co Louth and bomb hoaxes elsewhere.

The Taoiseach's meeting with Gerry Adams and company seemed to be a desperate effort, no doubt in his own words, "to hold things together". The comments after the meeting tended to suggest they were endeavouring to paper over the cracks.

Yet again, even in the darkest times, it is hoped that some realism will prevail. But even the main participants must now listen to every news bulletin to find out if any new atrocity has happened, which would undoubtedly blow them even farther off course.

It never ceases to amaze Drapier how a spell of opposition seems to bring out all the bright young things in the ranks of political parties.

When Fianna Fail was in opposition until the middle of last year its members were full of bright ideas. Once in government, however, they seem to have taken a back seat. Fine Gael, now in opposition, seems to be falling into the same trap, brimming with "brand new" ideas. Recently it suggested the abolition of stamp duty for second-hand house purchases. Nice idea, except that it was quickly pointed out that when they were in government not so long ago they actually raised the level of stamp duty. Similarly, they were brighteyed and bushy-tailed during the week announcing a zero-delay transport policy for Dublin. Again it was quickly pointed out that Fine Gael was involved in its time in government in reducing the subsidy to CIE. No doubt most of these good ideas are cropping up now because of the impending by-election in North Dublin.

Which brings Drapier to Fianna Fail's much publicised difficulties in Limerick East. What seems to be happening down there is the source of much comment and indeed mirth among all in Leinster House. Except that in the higher ranks of Fianna Fail it is causing many sleepless nights.

Drapier wouldn't blame them because what seemed like an easy victory is now turning into a potential embarrassing defeat. No doubt all the stops will be pulled out in the last few days to try to turn it around again. The by-elections have raised the tempo in the Dail chamber, and this was well illustrated with the extremely tetchy exchanges between Bertie Ahern and his old friend, Ruairi Quinn, over the issue of duty-free. Bertie accused Ruairi of not doing much during his tenure as minister for finance to save duty-free, which prompted Ruairi to call the Taoiseach a liar. This turn of events is fairly unprecedented, particularly coming from two normally good friends. It's amazing how election fever brings out the worst in people. All in all, the situation in both by-elections is so tight that even Drapier would not hazard a guess as to how they will go. What looked like a Fianna Fail win in Limerick is now not so clear.

Similarly, while Labour seems to be confident enough in North Dublin, the word around Leinster House is that the Fianna Fail machine there has been in full gear for the last few weeks. Bertie Ahern is no doubt putting great store into winning North Dublin because his much-heralded affinity with Dublin voters will be put to the test in this one. While both by-elections seem to be fought on local issues, Fianna Fail will be trying to turn this around by reminding the voters that there is much more at stake. Drapier is not so sure. From what he got on the doorsteps, it is one local issue after another.

Charlie McCreevy, who seems to have been the butt of criticism in recent times, has to a certain extent had a week off in that the spotlight has been put on Mary Harney and her junior minister, Noel Treacy. Mary and her party seem to have a knack of misusing surplus paper. Previously, they had trouble with documents thrown into a skip outside their offices. This week a confidential ministerial note was inadvertently given to the Opposition, which, apparently, gave more details than was given in the parliamentary reply. Pat Rabbitte was quite rightly full of indignation, believing that if the shoe had been on the other foot Mary Harney would have been pulling the House down. Mind you, Mary was quick to point out that a lot of what is being alleged would have been known to Pat Rabbitte because he, being her immediate predecessor, was in the Department for 2 1/2 years. Pat's indignation was quickly tempered when Mary produced letters from his time in that Department which showed that he was aware of the problem but batted it back to the then minister for finance. Pat is also alleging that he knows the names of depositors in the NIB saga but he won't as yet produce them.

Normally Fianna Fail is constantly reminding the world about Pat Rabbitte's unfounded and unsubstantiated allegation about a letter on the file that would "rock the foundations of the State". Now even the newspapers are questioning his reluctance to come out. It may be a case of the Rabbitte crying wolf once too often.

What really is required in all these instances is a much more accountable Dail so that the various arms of the State can be questioned about their stewardship on behalf of the citizens.

Surely it is the responsibility of elected representatives to ensure that Government Departments and other agencies are carrying out proper work on behalf of the citizens, rather than making the public representatives themselves responsible for matters which are not of their making. The fact that a minister can be made personally responsible for issues outside his or her control always beggared Drapier's belief.