We were all put out of our agony this week with the announcement by John Hume that he was not going to go for the Presidency. There was a fair amount of dark muttering against Hume for leaving it so late. Apparently, until the very last minute there were strong signals that he was favourably disposed.
His negative decision started an intense round of lobbying in all parties. The happiest man must have been Albert Reynolds (off in Cyprus), who praised John Hume for his deep sense of duty. Albert would say that, wouldn't he? The Opposition were taking delight at Fianna Fail's predicament. Drapier actually heard some of them encouraging their Fianna Fail colleagues to vote for Albert. They are hoping that Albert will win the nomination so that they can "throw the kitchen sink" at him, and thereby embarrass Bertie. Some commentators said before the last general election that it would be one of the dirtiest in the history of the State but it didn't turn out like that.
But from what Drapier has heard to date it may very well be that the presidential election will win that title. Some people in here say that Fine Gael have thrown in the towel in that they have two potential candidates who don't really have a chance. It's being speculated that they have been waiting, yet again, for Dick Spring to bail them out. Labour, who claimed credit for pulling Mary Robinson out of the hat, feel they can do it again. Some of the most incredible suggestions are being made about potential Labour candidate (Drapier has heard that they have approached celebrities including pop stars and TV presenters).
Michael D. Higgins seems to have ruled himself out in the interests of the party. The fact is that Michael D. wouldn't get elected and Labour know it, and the only way they can stop the Fianna Fail train is by picking someone who will catch the imagination of the floating voter.
Both Michael D. Higgins and David Andrews must feel very aggrieved in that they were both told to get off the pitch by their respective leaders. Drapier saw them crying on each other's shoulders in the chamber this week.
John Bruton finally announced his revamped Front Bench. Drapier wondered why he left it so late. One or two of the less experienced members will find it difficult to "read themselves in" to the brief.
One who should have no difficulty is Alan Shatter, whose experience was sorely missed in the Fine Gael Cabinet team when they were in government. He will be a good foil for his opposite number, Brian Cowen. Most of us saw that the most likely portfolio where sparks will fly is that of Public Enterprise, where John Bruton pitted the feisty Nora Owen against the equally combative Mary Harney. Drapier can see this as one of the highlights of the 28th Dail.
The prelude to the entry by Sinn Fein into the peace talks has taken place without much comment and, indeed, the signing of the Mitchell principles, given its particular significance, has hardly raised an eyebrow. The situation has been overshadowed by John Hume's decision not to run but, still, this momentous occasion has hardly ruffled a feather down here.
There may be an element of some people in here not really believing (and this was confirmed by the IRA statement this week), but all in all Sinn Fein ultimately sitting down with David Ervine and Billy Hutchinson is a mouthwatering prospect.
Ray Burke and the rest of the Southern delegation are revelling in the recent developments and are holding their breath as to whether David Trimble's UUP will participate. Mind you, Ray Burke has much more on his mind south of the Border.
What Drapier and his colleagues witnessed this week, with Ray coming into the chamber to explain the £30,000 donation, was one of the most extraordinary episodes in many a long year. Ray, who had the reputation of being a Rambo was reduced to mere mortal status. It was somewhat unedifying to see someone of his stature explaining himself to his peers, some of whom, in Drapier's eyes, let themselves down.
Maybe it's because many of the Fine Gael front bench and some of the Labour people were obliged to go before the McCracken tribunal to explain how they got money from Ben Dunne, or maybe it's just that this place is getting nastier by the day, but they initially seemed to revel in Burke's uneasiness and discomfort. By the end of the session, however, between a combination of Burke's demeanour and the Opposition running out of any really pertinent questions, the matter was something of a damp squib.
A number of people said that Fine Gael were particularly subdued and that even Labour or Democratic Left didn't succeed in laying a finger on Burke. Some of his allies were muttering that if the Opposition drew blood on Burke he would go down fighting, bringing quite a few with him. Drapier supposes he didn't get the name Rambo for nothing.
All in all, it was a pretty unedifying few hours in the chamber and Drapier would suggest that anyone on the Opposition benches who think they did themselves favours, are codding themselves. It would appear that Bertie (and Mary Harney) can breathe a sigh of relief, for the time being, at least.
Drapier predicts an air of nastiness for some time in that Burke will have noted in his little black book the names of all the people who had the temerity to question him, both in the chamber and on the airwaves.
We here in Leinster House must learn the lessons from the reaction in Britain to Princess Diana's tragic death. Much has been made of the plummeting of respect for the royal family because of the way they reacted to the tragedy. It was a clear lesson that the feelings of the general public cannot be taken for granted.
The huge change in attitudes in Britain must have been coming for quite some time, but it wasn't, evidently, picked up. We have gone through a metamorphosis over the last decade or so to such an extent that all is changing dramatically - and faster than some of us would like.
The resignation of Mary Robinson reminds Drapier how she captured the mood of the Irish people just at the right time. Her harnessing of this change of attitude, which she helped to accelerate, was mirrored in Britain last week.