One of the main events of the week was the Choo-choo Flu. Drapier had heard the main protagonists on the radio and could only come to the conclusion that there were deep-seated rows going on all over the place. At the top, Minister Mary O'Rourke and CIE chairman Brian Joyce seem to be at loggerheads. Similarly, the union heads were saying some very nasty things to one another on the airwaves. The poor, unfortunate commuter had to bear the brunt of these rows, although, as quite often happens on these occasions, the worst-case scenario never occurred. Much talk in Leinster House on Tuesday was about the fact that it had taken most of us a lot less time and bother to get into the city on the day in question. Some people were, in jest, even suggesting that perhaps the trains would stay out altogether in future. But the reality is that thousands of people stayed at home, costing the country millions in the process.
Despite the fact that the State is experiencing boom times we have witnessed week after week demonstrations and protests clogging up the city (mainly). Drapier wonders is it the case that when people are more economically contented they are much more prone to go out and protest. Drapier can foresee many more of these in the coming months and has even heard that the hackneys are now going to protest - and hold the city to ransom - over some bone of contention that they are unhappy with. The hackney-owners are annoyed that they cannot use the bus lanes whereas, apparently, the taxis can. Drapier has noticed that there seem to be many more of these bus lanes, but for the life of him he cannot see too many buses in them. Maybe on the Choo-choo Flu day the traffic moved much better because commuters were exhorted to use the bus lanes.
The regionalisation debate took a new twist this week with the publishing of Central Statistics Office figures county by county based on the measurement of output per head. These figures showed that Kerry was well below the EU limit and that Clare was well above, but that a lot of counties which had previously been included as poor were, in fact, "quite rich" and vice versa. This added to the confusion on the issue and allowed the Opposition to point out what they saw as discrepancies in the Government's case to Europe. All in all, the issue has caused colleague to be against colleague. It confirmed what we've always known, that "all politics is local".
The Opposition has certainly raised the temperature in the last few weeks, having received a fillip with the very tight vote on the mental health issue. Tom Gildea stepped in with the Government, but it appeared for a while this week that Mildred Fox would step out. This goes to show that the Government cannot take the Independents for granted. Lo and behold, who turned up this week but Albert Reynolds. Readers may recall that in a very tight vote recently on the mental health issue Albert apparently decided not to vote with his Government colleagues, even though up to the last minute he was in the House. This week he wasn't repeating the dose of shivers for his Government Chief Whip, Seamus Brennan, by turning up for the main vote of the week in Private Members' time.
Speaking of stepping in and out, Michael Bell proved yet again that politically he is able to play any tune to suit the occasion. Drapier recalls that he resigned from Labour a few years ago on a matter of principle but rejoined when no one was paying much attention.
Recently, as the much-vaunted chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, when he lost the Euro election convention to a hitherto unknown, he jumped ship again. And yet two short months later he is now back in the fold with his political tail between his legs. He is not taken too seriously for all his manoeuvrings. Even though he had resigned, he sat among the Labour deputies and voted with them time and time again. Suggestions that he might be enticed by Fianna Fail were wide of the mark. Maybe that's why he's back with Labour - that the offers from others were not flowing in.
This week again the Opposition has been trying to pin the Taoiseach and the Government on every conceivable issue. On Tuesday, on the Order of Business, it got so heated that the Opposition was openly accusing the Leas Ceann Comhairle, Rory O'Hanlon, of protecting his Fianna Fail colleagues, something Drapier has not come across before in such a sustained way.
In fact, Drapier heard one of the Opposition refer to the fact that Rory O'Hanlon is the chairman of the Fianna Fail party, the implication being that he was less than impartial. This nastiness spilled into Wednesday when the normally lenient and affable Ceann Comhairle Seamus Pattison was accused by none other than John Bruton of protecting the Government. The exchange between the two was extremely tetchy and doesn't augur well for the future. Drapier has one word of advice for Bruton: he should think twice before calling into question the impartiality of the Chair. Having said that, Drapier would also suggest that the Ceann Comhairle and Leas Ceann Comhairle should become more consistent in their rulings. One can be quite accommodating whereas the other seems to be overly strict in his interpretation of the rules of debate.
The highlight of the week was the visit of Tony Blair to a joint sitting of the Oireachtas. He carried this off with his renowned panache. The very fact that he was welcomed with open arms is a clear sign yet again that attitudes in the Republic have dramatically changed. Years ago, Drapier could not have ever envisaged a British prime minister being welcomed in such a fashion. Thankfully, attitudes have changed for the better and, hopefully, that change of heart will be reciprocated throughout these two islands.
Drapier thinks that will be the case. Indeed, proof of this was to hear David Trimble profusely complimenting the Republic on its booming economy. Changed times indeed.
The Ceann Comhairle did us all proud with his welcome to Blair. It was witty and extremely warm. Even his detractors had to concede that he excelled himself.
Next week brings this Government's second Budget, and political watchers will be examining closely how it will change (if at all) its approach from last year. Much has been made by Government spokespeople about the fact that this will be a left-type Budget. Drapier is not too sure, given the fact that people like Charlie McCreevy and Mary Harney hold huge sway in this little arrangement.