Readers probably remember Drapier saying this many times before, but it is a fact that, come hell or high water, no political scandals ever happen during August. All is extremely quiet. Ruairi Quinn, in his article in The Irish Times this week, tried to keep the pot boiling, but Drapier thinks to no avail. His article was an effort to remind readers about the pitfalls for the Government and particularly Bertie Ahern in the tribunals, but Drapier thinks not even the politicos, let alone the general public, pay too much attention in August to media comment.
One or two of the opposition have tried to cause a stir, particularly Fine Gael's Brian Hayes on the housing issue. But such is the exuberance of youth. Drapier can guarantee that after a few more years' experience those younger, more enthusiastic members will ease off during holiday periods.
Some opposition representatives seem to feel that the housing situation is something they can use to keep the public exercised over the holiday weeks but, to a certain extent, this effort fell flat when one or two incisive questions from the media stopped them in their tracks.
For instance, Aine Lawlor on Morning Ireland this week, after Brian Hayes's ritual criticism of the Government, asked him what his party would do if it was in power to cure the housing problems. The answer was less than informative.
This summer period has been no different from previous ones in being preoccupied with such things as Oireachtas members' salaries and the Independents' shopping lists. Charlie McCreevy aided and abetted the media commentators with his views which brought the usual tirade of indignation from all those who say they represent those who earn less than the legislators of the land.
Drapier happened to tune in to Questions and Answers recently, with Brendan McGahon and Chris Flood on the panel. He didn't think Brendan or Chris made a great fist of defending the pay situation of Oireachtas members. In Drapier's view, one of the audience came unwittingly close to putting his finger on the kernel of the situation.
Making the argument in favour of better pay for members (something which neither Brendan nor Chris was doing very well), the audience member suggested that TDs and senators should be paid more, but in return they should be made more accountable. Nobody seemed to realise that the profession which is the most accountable, more than any other on this island, is in fact politics; in that year in, year out, they must go before the people.
Could one imagine the outcry if gardai, teachers, bus drivers etc were put into their position, or indeed taken out of position, by popular vote? In Drapier's view, it is not so important that TDs and Senators should be paid well in order to get the best (in any event, who defines "the best"?).
Rather, it should be the case that TDs and Senators are paid a good salary because of the incredible insecurity inherent in political life. One paper is making a lot out of how TDs and senators have additional sources of income. Drapier asks: "Why shouldn't they?". No other profession is expected to run the gauntlet of the electorate for "their crust". Hence the need for a safety net.
Also, now we have the papers tripping over themselves to "expose" Oireachtas members' expenses. Drapier can put it no better than former Manchester United player Pat Crerand, who was interviewed on Morning Ireland recently by Richard Crowley, about Roy Keane's wage demands.
Crowley asked what Crerand earned back in the mid-1960s. The footballer, quick as a flash, challenged Crowley, stating that the media were very quick to ask people what they earned, but that when the media were asked what they themselves earned , there was a deafening silence.
Drapier well remembers the efforts by the Oireachtas to get information on Gay Byrne's and Pat Kenny's salaries - and we still don't know them.
The other issue to keep the political correspondents in a job is the demands of the independent TDs supporting the Government. The papers are majoring on the abortion referendum demands of people like Harry Blaney, Jackie Healy-Rae, Mildred Fox and Tom Gildea.
Each of these in varying degrees has been nailing their colours to the mast when questioned. Drapier's advice to them is to keep their heads down rather than allow the political correspondents make the agenda.
It's well known that those political writers in the print media are scraping around during the month of August for any tit-bit, and what easier way of making some news than phoning up an independent and putting them on the spot? They even made a story out of two different views given by Mildred Fox, and Seamus Brennan for the Government. Mildred made out that she had, in recent times, renewed her demand for a referendum on abortion, yet Seamus Brennan denied that any such demand had been made recently.
Indeed, this reminds Drapier of how quickly a spokesperson for Mary O'Rourke was out denying a story put out as a result of questioning of Tom Gildea on the licences for TV deflector systems. It was suggested that Gildea had stated that around 60 such licences would be issued in the near future by Mary O'Rourke, following numerous meetings he had had with her.
O'Rourke's people were out like a flash to deny even that the meetings had happened, and they pointed out that granting of licences was not the Minister's responsibility but was the job of the independent regulator. Drapier thought the Opposition were a bit soft in not making some capital out of this. Maybe they are on holiday, too.
Drapier was somewhat surprised that Emily O'Reilly announced her resignation from Magill magazine. Her tenure in this magazine has been somewhat fractious and unhappy. A previous edition, or part of it, had to be withdrawn because of last-minute legal difficulties, leaving everyone with egg on their faces.
There is obviously more to the In Dublin story than meets the eye if Emily is resigning from Magill. Emily has a very long and extensive CV, having had many ports of call on her journalistic journey. It will be interesting to see where she ends up after this.