There were three topics of conversation when the Dail resumed on Wednesday after Easter - Frank Dun- lop, the wisdom/luck of Pat Rabbitte and the likelihood now of an early by-election in Tipp South. On Dunlop, there was genuine shock at the scale of the bribery and corruption, a feeling that all politicians, good, bad and indifferent, were damaged, and a belief that those who might have received a mere £500 from a developer towards real election expenses were now tarred with the same brush as those who got thousands. When names are named, forced resignations could precipitate an election. Although those involved are unlikely to do anything which would mean facing the electorate, the PDs could always pull the plug rather than rely on the support of the corrupt.
Rabbitte's statement surprised everyone and while no other such declarations were expected, there was a belief that mechanisms for dealing with miscreants must be put in place before those named by Dunlop are identified. Such procedures would provide the best process for cleansing a now very damaged profession.
The other hot topic is that for Labour, the time is now. Michael Ferris died in March and since selecting a candidate was problematic, the party was not expected to move the writ until autumn. Things changed this week, and June 15th is a date widely in circulation around Leinster House. Labour must capitalise on the sleaze now attaching itself to the two major parties. Ellen Ferris, the late deputy's widow, will get the nomination if she will take it. Martin Mansergh, despite an absence of support on the ground, has powerful friends and is still a strong possibility for FF, especially now that his area - the North - seems semi-settled. Michael Maguire is the local FF favourite and Tom Hayes is expected to be the FG candidate.