Fears, or relief from some, that the Dail wouldn't be able to return as planned on October 3rd have abated, following the OPW's assurance that the building work will be completed on time. There was a period over the summer, with progress delayed by industrial action, when it appeared the Dail might have to reconvene briefly and immediately adjourn again so the job could be finished.
However, this was never going to be the case, as the chamber itself has not been touched. If widespread disruption in Leinster House had prevented the holding of an emergency meeting, contingency plans to convene in either Dublin Castle or the Mansion House were considered. Now, come what may - and many believe the new building (which gives each deputy their own office) is unlikely to be finished on time - the Dail will be back on schedule.
So the politicians are preparing. The Taoiseach met all his ministers this week for a pep talk and they will address backbenchers at a special meeting on September 27th and 28th in Kilkenny. Former Wexford hurling manager Liam Griffin will be there to motivate the troops. At the Fine Gael meeting in Athlone next Tuesday and Wednesday, the outside speaker will be psychologist Maureen Gaffney. Labour is having a one-day think-in in Dublin next week.
FF will be exploring ways of finally disengaging from the Hugh O'Flaherty debacle, regaining ground in time for an election which must come in under two years; and identifying long term challenges. The opposition parties will be discussing how they can continue to attack the coalition on its weakest point, O'Flaherty, and manoeuvre an early election. Deputies will be told to expect one any time from early 2001. The Government, meanwhile, is preparing to return for a bruising session in Leinster House. Much rests on the success of the December budget, so great care will be taken. Inflation is seen as the main problem of a booming economy. Legislation due this coming session includes the Standards in Public Office Bill which pulls together the various strands of the ethics regulations ranging from tax disclosures to a new body for dealing with complaints.