All our worst fears have been realised with this week's escalation of retaliatory murders in the North. The reason for the frantic telephone diplomacy between Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair in the run-up to the Heads of Agreement is now somewhat clearer.
They were obviously aware of the impending dangers, much more so than the rest of us. They obviously felt that there was an immediate necessity for the two governments to take the initiative.
The problem is that it was obvious, once this agreement was out, that one side was going to be happier than the other.
Sinn Fein showed its consummate media skills by not reacting immediately. The fact that it waited before giving its considered view accentuated the gravity of the eventual rejection.
Despite all this it has been backed into a corner, on the one hand by the two governments, and on the other more ominously by the breakaway splinter group, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee.
Drapier notes from media reports that this latter group met this week and no doubt was milking the situation regarding Sinn Fein's predicament.
It will be hoping that the present situation will cause its ranks to swell with disaffected Sinn Feiners.
This will test the mettle of the Sinn Fein leadership.
One can only hope that, as happened previously in times of severe difficulties, reason will prevail.
The events of recent weeks show the utter mistrust between one side and the other. All of those who have invested huge time and commitment must despair. Hopefully, they will brave out this dark period. Everything else pales into insignificance given the difficulties in the North, but political life in the Republic goes on and no doubt over the next two weeks will build up to a climax, culminating in the return of the plenary session of the Dail on the 28th of this month.
The Opposition parties have finally put their differences behind them regarding the Moriarty tribunal terms of reference and have joined forces to put it up to the Government by strongly suggesting that there should be an amendment to include investigation of the Ansbacher accounts.
The Government has called foul and alleged the Opposition is endeavouring to move the goalposts during the game.
While Drapier isn't a lawyer he feels the Government may have some justification in its argument, particularly in view of the fact that there is an ongoing legal challenge by Charles Haughey.
All the time Mary Harney's investigation seems to be moving apace and it may well be that this latter investigation gets to the bottom of all of this before the Moriarty tribunal has reported.
Drapier thinks that, while the Opposition will not succeed in forcing the Government to change the terms of reference, eventually, he feels, all will be revealed regarding the Ansbacher accounts.
No doubt, like the rest of you, Drapier is mesmerised by all of these tribunals.
Most of us in here were keeping a close eye on the Flood planning tribunal which potentially had even greater implications for the political system.
To date it appears most dark warnings have been unjustified in that, from what we can gather from various sources, not a huge amount of new material is coming forward.
Apart from a few in here, most were gravely concerned that unidentified individuals, through a legal firm outside the jurisdiction, could drip-feed information through the media.
For the past while they have been saying through their legal representatives that all they wanted was a tribunal to investigate certain alleged irregularities. Yet when the tribunal held its first meeting they were not prepared to come forward and identify themselves.
Again, apart from a few in here, most of us cheered when we heard reports that the chairman, Feargus Flood, had said that he would have "no mystery men in the tribunal".
In all fairness Drapier would have thought that anyone who has been accused of wrongdoing is entitled to know the identity of their accusers, so that their motives can be assessed.
Drapier noted that these people said they were not accusers, but this doesn't wash. Each of us in here and indeed politicians in general were tarred with the same brush in that the finger of suspicion was pointed at every one of us as long as these anonymous allegations were left to hang in the air.
Drapier is not sorry to see the alleged sponsors unmasked and wonders why, with the establishment of the tribunal, they are not rushing forward to openly give us the benefit of their knowledge.
Drapier thinks that Minister Michael Smith is on a winner in his stinging attack on the legal profession concerning the Defence Forces compensation claims.
The Minister has been circumspect in his criticism of the Army personnel but, in regard to the legal profession, he has pulled no punches at an easy target.
He has been on every news broadcast recently complaining about what he described as the "out-of-control juggernaut". Drapier wonders when action will be taken, or is the Minister "speaking up" the situation so that all involved will take note. The Minister must have been pleased with this week's dismissal in the High Court of a claim which the presiding judge felt was unwarranted. No doubt Mr Smith hopes that this will warn off other prospective claimants.
Drapier wonders if he is shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted.
There are so many cases coming forward that all of these will have to be dealt with on an individual basis.
More definite action may need to be taken by the Minister, and this will test his resolve to fight the Army claims "on the beaches and in the trenches".