It certainly was a historic week, not only for the number of times we were told how historic it was, but also because it might be the last time we will have to endure Sinn FΘin's "product placement" of hopeful candidates on the steps of Government Buildings. Drapier does not cough up 23p (€0.29) a day to RTE for that.
But this is not the time for carping. Drapier will not add to the already vast quantity of instant commentary, except to say well done to all involved.
Already the pundits are looking for the domestic political implications of all this for Sinn FΘin. The general consensus, even among the Shinners themselves, is that the absolute maximum number they can hope to win is six. Most predict they will win fewer and that six seats is only possible if Sinn FΘin takes a huge step beyond this week's move and cleans up its act on the ground.
It's important to set any marginal gains in perspective. Sinn FΘin itself does not predict an earth-shattering breakthrough on the scale of the PD one in 1987. Sinn FΘin is a niche party, not a populist one. As Brian Cowen said on Primetime the other night, Fianna Fβil, with 75 seats, is not likely to get an inferiority complex about them.
Drapier believes that the biggest winner from this week's events will probably be Bertie Ahern.
Barring some future hurdle in the peace process, he will go into the election as Bertie the Peacemaker. In a stroke he gets over the old "Ah sure, they're all the same" argument. Bertie has made a difference.
The other thing which became clear this week is that we now have the three issues which will bring us into the spring and the campaign: abortion, health and the Budget.
Drapier is amazed just how well the Government's strategy on abortion is going. It's based on the disarming approach of saying we promised it, here it is and it's as clear and honest as we can put it.
The reports from the Fianna Fβil Parliamentary Party are that the leader received so much support that even his brother, Noel, was praising him.
The increasingly peculiar fringes of the "pro-life" movement may hold out for the every-sperm-is-sacred line, but everyone else seems to know this is a clear choice.
That's why Fine Gael, after a month's deliberations, has been unable to decide a common approach. Some of its urban elements want to go for a more liberal line, while the rural ones don't want to oppose a strong anti-abortion measure.
Michael Noonan knows he has too many seats on the line to risk taking the wrong side, so he's desperately trying to find a flaw or technicality for a way out.
When Drapier read Michael's full list of questions he was struck by the fact that they were coming from all angles at once. This approach can't last too much longer without him and his party being accused of vacillating.
Labour's stance is now clear. It will follow the policy outlined by the leader and not that decided at conference.
Drapier suspects that, ultimately, the public will turn on any party which tries to make political capital out of the issue. It is the interest groups who will decide the terms of the debate, as well as the outcome of the vote.
A few months ago health was the only issue in town. This is no longer the case with the economy back on the agenda. This week's series on health systems around the world was required reading by TDs and senators over the morning tea.
The bottom line seems to be that everyone has troubles, and our major problem is the capacity of the system. Tinkering with the administration is a nice academic exercise, but pointless, if we don't have enough staff and beds.
How to afford this without returning to the deficits of the 1970s and 1980s is the big trick facing Charlie McCreevy. If there's one thing for sure, it's that Charlie will listen to everyone and then do his own thing.
His comment on employees' PRSI to Jane Suiter was vintage. It was radical and matter of fact, a bit like himself.
If people want changes to be progressive towards lower incomes, that's what they'll get. And he'll be even closer to his clear vision of a simplified and logical tax system.
This week we saw the social partners trooping in with their Budget demands. With the economic and fiscal outlook appearing none too rosy, the fact that David Beggs could keep a straight face while looking for £800 million in tax cuts and the same again in welfare increases was remarkable.
As for IBEC, most of Drapier's colleagues thought it overplayed its hand on the PRSI issue.
As for the Community Platform, an economic slowdown is exactly what our religious superiors in CORI have been waiting for. Bad times will narrow the gap between rich and poor like nothing else.
Those of us in here who do not rule by divine right and have to get out there and work to get elected are increasingly irritated by the antics of the community and voluntary pillar.
Drapier thinks Charlie McCreevy had it right about the poverty professionals. Your average "poveratti" is university-educated, well paid and living far from the places they talk most about.
Add a dash of obnoxious self-righteousness and you can see why it is more a fifth column than a third pillar.
It's time someone pointed out that these little emperors have no clothes and no mandate.
Those who have the courage of their convictions can always put their name on a ballot paper. But then maybe that's a bit too risky and might mean having to go and do something rather than talk about it.
On an issue of social justice nearer to home for CORI, we are seemingly no nearer to agreement on compensation for the victims of abuse in religious-run institutions.
The fact that only a very few religious ever abused children is beside the point. If even one agent of the State or one employee of a company does anything the whole body is liable.
Drapier knows that several religious are far from happy about the CORI line, which is as far as one or two of the larger orders are prepared to go.
Drapier's catechism tells him that what separates the prophetic voice from cant is charism, not a chequebook.
All round, it's been a week of new eras and that's probably the most historic thing.
Due to pressure of space Andrews on Saturday has been held over.