Strange as it may seem the most significant event in here this week was the nomination of Romano Prodi as the next president of the European Commission. From a politician's point of view it sent out all the right signals, with a clear indication of the sort of person we now need to select as Ireland's next commissioner.
Romano Prodi is a political heavyweight, and clearly political heavyweights are what the Commission needs at this time. The job specification is straightforward - political experience, political judgment and political ability.
For a small country especially it is vital that we have somebody who has international standing and a sense of presence, the sort best exemplified in recent times by Peter Sutherland and Ray MacSharry, each of whom carved out a genuine international role and reputation, always seeing the big picture while never taking their eye off Ireland's best interests either.
That at least was the emerging consensus in Leinster House this week as the slide rule was run over the prospects of our potential commissioners.
A week can be a long time in this type of business, and already some of the early names are beginning to fall away while others are strengthening.
Pat Cox made some of the early running - or it was made for him - but few would now give him any chance. He is too far outside the loop, with virtually no backers in either of the Government parties, and with Fianna Fail likely to take two seats in Munster, his absence would be more likely to benefit Fine Gael or Labour.
So with the PDs chilly, Fianna Fail hostile and the others indifferent, it just isn't on. Pat will have to stay on as an influential figure in a stronger European Parliament.
Des O'Malley has yet to express an interest one way or the other, but O'Malley shares were not at a premium this week. Fianna Fail does not forgive or forget that easily, though in Drapier's view he would be a very acceptable choice to most people in here, and in the country generally.
Nor did Drapier detect any Fianna Fail groundswell for Gerry Collins. It may be there, and Gerry no doubt has his own way of making his particular case, but if there is support for him, it has so far been subterranean.
What then of the two non-Fianna Fail people, Dick Spring and Alan Dukes? Each certainly fits the job specification. Dick Spring especially has unparalleled international experience, and both he and Dukes have a formidable political presence.
Their styles are different, but each has a deep inner toughness. Dukes's mastery of detail is famed while Spring's achievements have already put him in the frame for another major European position.
Suddenly, however, Drapier is interrupted as he makes this case. And interrupted with some impatience.
"Grand, grand, grand," says Drapier's friend, "but there is no point in going on. Yes, they're both good fellows, highly qualified and they even know a thing or two about wine and fancy cuisine.
"But that's it. There's no point in going any further and you're in here long enough to know that."
Drapier's friend put it very bluntly: "This is a Fianna Fail job. Fianna Fail will pick the best candidate but it will be a Fianna Fail candidate. Have we picked a bad commissioner yet?"
One name did come to mind, but Drapier accepts the reality of his friend's intervention. It was a fair point and, all other things being equal, Fianna Fail will put the country first and do it in their way. Drapier's friend told him to put those sentiments into fancy language, but Drapier feels they need no adornment, nor does Drapier disagree with the sentiments expressed.
All of which brings us to the two Fianna Fail people who are now seen by most in here as the frontrunners: Maire Geoghegan Quinn and David Byrne. And the odds are narrowing sharply in favour of Mrs Geoghegan Quinn.
The principal reason is Signor Prodi. If the Commission wants a political heavyweight then Maire fits that bill.
She is tough and can be ruthless, but Drapier has always found her straight and honourable. She has a wide range of political experience and in particular has a mastery of European affairs dating back to her stint as junior minister to Charlie Haughey during a particularly hectic European phase.
And there is no doubt about her ability to make her presence felt and not to be overawed. Her strongest point is that she is a known political commodity. Her strengths as well as her weaknesses are well known and well analysed, so in a real sense what you see is what you get. And politicians, like others, prefer the comfort of certainty, the safety of the familiar.
The arguments against her are trotted out as well. She has made enemies. Bertie Ahern is still wary of her. She left politics to protect her private life. Fianna Fail does not owe her any more.
In Drapier's view the pluses by far outweigh the minuses, and that view was gaining currency as the week passed. So what then of David Byrne?
Drapier has a lot of time for David. He has been a successful and adroit Attorney General. The Taoiseach and Ministers feel comfortable with him. His legal expertise is unquestioned and, from what Drapier hears, his political judgment is not bad either.
Moreover, should he go to Europe Michael McDowell could come back into politics as Attorney General, greatly strengthening the PDs as it goes about its task of reorganising and confirming its efforts to portray itself as the ethical watchdog of this administration.
The problem for David Byrne, at least as seen from the point of view of backbenchers, is that he has no political baggage. Politically he is an unknown quantity. We don't know if he could cut a dash on the European stage and by the time we find out it may be too late.
Nor is it certain Bertie Ahern would willingly lose an Attorney General with whom he is comfortable for one with whom he might not always be quite so comfortable.
David Byrne's biggest asset is Peter Sutherland, who showed that the lack of elected political experience did not prevent him from making a huge success of the job. David Byrne's biggest negative is the growing view that political experience and a proven track record are now seen as an essential prerequisite for the job.
So that's it for now. Drapier is merely reflecting and distilling the conventional wisdom of the week that has passed.
There is no guarantee events and perceptions will not change again and again over the coming days. In fact, Drapier will be surprised if they don't.
But while there is still no obvious or certain candidate, a clear favourite is emerging and if Drapier were a betting man, which he is in a modest enough way, he will be putting on his few shillings before the close of play today.