There are huge sighs of relief around Leinster House that the Dail is adjourning for a lengthy summer recess next week. Deputies on all sides are now so nervous of what missiles may be spinning towards them, from what directions and with what agendas, that they feel the sooner the House adjourns the better. At least then they will get through the summer without an election.
Seasoned observers say they have rarely seen politicians so fearful and jumpy as they have been over the last couple of weeks. Fianna Fail has been reeling from allegations about fundraising and Labour leader, Ruairi Quinn was hit with tough questions this week.
The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, says his Coalition Government is not about to fall. Most in Leinster House would agree with him. Not only are deputies on all sides fearful that some misdemeanour from their past may spring at them out of the blue, but many are genuinely confused about what is permissable and what is not in the areas of fundraising, lobbying, contacts, campaigning - and even friendships. They also know that public esteem for their profession is at an all-time low and that down the line it will be increasingly difficult to get good people to run for public office.
None of them want to face an election now - their standing is low, they have no money, they can't fundraise in the old ways, donors are afraid to be seen with them, let alone to be giving them money, and no poll can predict how a campaign would run and the result that would ensue. The parties fear a rake of volatile independents would be swept into Leinster House, causing them much grief.
They'll survive the summer, but the most feared scuds are on the way. The Moriarty and Flood tribunals, on payments to politicians and corruption in planning respectively, will hear evidence shortly. Anything could emerge. They remember that McCracken set out to investigate Ben Dunne and Michael Lowry and ended up getting Charlie Haughey. Where could the next two tribunals lead?
And why is the Oireachtas breaking from now until October? It's because of the building work.