DRAPIER An insider's guide to politics: This week, public debate was dominated by events in Northern Ireland and looming events in Iraq. Strange isn't it that Tony Blair is so evidently driven to bringing forward genuine peace in Northern Ireland and simultaneously driven with George Bush towards war in Iraq.
But that, I expect, is part of the complexity of such a politician with strong moral leanings.
Even more driven is Bertie Ahern, and both men showed in their two to three days and nights in Northern Ireland this week that they have an overriding commitment to see through the whole process of change in Northern Ireland.
The line from a Yeats poem, "Peace comes dropping slow", is so apt for what is happening in the North.
Since the Good Friday agreement, the danger word looming large on the political landscape in Northern Ireland has been "decommissioning". That is now replaced by a new word - "sanctions".
Still, Drapier believes real progress was made this week, and this will be revealed over the forthcoming days and weeks.
Seeing as history is in the making in an accelerated way this week in Northern Ireland, Drapier looks back over the last quarter of a century at the Republic's dramatis personae who have occupied the stage there.
Not in any consecutive order but the following names shine brightly; Liam Cosgrave, Garret FitzGerald, Charlie Haughey, Brian Lenihan, Albert Reynolds, John Bruton, Martin Mansergh, Dick Spring, David Andrews, Liz O'Donnell, Brian Cowen and Bertie Ahern. So many astute and clever civil servants at the highest level on all sides have also freely given their acumen and creativity, especially those who prepare, parse and analyse the endless stream of position papers.
Bertie Ahern has had a doggedness of spirit, an attention to detail and a sheer application of time and thought in relation to Northern matters. There is no doubt that all the years he spent honing and refining his consensus-building skills in dealing with the trade union movement has served him well on the scene. The purpose of the recent intense period has been to eliminate fudge and replace it with certainty. That might not be fully possible just yet but that day is approaching.
There's no need for Drapier's advice in this regard but it will be given just the same. Two steps forward and one step back is still a fair way to proceed in this troubled land. Of course the elections in May loom large and each person and group is watching the other to see where electoral advantage can be gained. Strange isn't it how the dreary steeples of Fermanagh and Tyrone continue to exercise and torment. But this time, hope is definitely (if cautiously) renewed.
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However, life goes on and Iraq looms nearer all the time. It is becoming increasingly clear that George Bush has no interest whatsoever in the new report of Dr Hans Blix to the UN. There is a distinct feeling that war is now inevitable; that compromises will be reached by France and Germany; that the authority of the United Nations will be damaged in the ensuing rush to the battlefields. Forces are gathering in huge numbers; the stage is set; Bush fired up; and drum beats are sounding.
Drapier believes not enough attention has been given to the role that Tony Blair has played in spancelling George Bush in his rush to war. It was clearly Blair who stayed the hand of the President on several occasions, and continues to act as a moral guardian angel in the whole process. War is bad and this one will be more so. Worries are growing that American aggrandisement is a strong component in all of this.
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Back in the Houses of the Oireachtas, politics was certainly lively this week. Drapier's colleagues in the Seanad reported great excitement when the Freedom of Information Bill, complete with its accompanying Minister, Charlie McCreevy, took the stage.
Incidentally, the Seanad sat until 3 a.m., and a complex political strategy unfolded. Even more intriguing will be next week's events - committee stage in the Seanad, Kevin Murphy's report, five wise persons to come to the Finance Committee and daily ensuing parliamentary mayhem. If handled astutely, this could be advantageous to the Opposition.
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What about education? What indeed? Matters educational continue to cause controversy.
However, the Taoiseach's visit to the Ográ Fianna Fáil conference in Portlaoise last weekend raised the stakes again. Interestingly, he did not say that tuition fees or student loans would be introduced, rather he gave his backing vocally to his Minister for Education, Noel Dempsey, and praised his determination to bring equity into educational policy by positive measures for the disadvantaged.
Most ministers for education worked diligently in this area. Gemma Hussey's route was through curriculum reform; Mary O'Rourke's through the establishment of home-school liaison teachers; Niamh Bhreathnach through her landmark "breaking the cycle" measures; Micheál Martin through a huge increase in remedial teachers; Michael Woods through his attention to the whole abuse scandal. Now Noel Dempsey is determined to see that the disadvantaged gain greater access to third-level education.
This is a wholly admirable sentiment, but is Mary Harney now playing the role of Jackie Healy Rae? When Noel Dempsey was minister for the environment the Kerry man put a stop to the abolition of the dual mandate. While the Tánaiste and the PDs are determined that there should not be a reintroduction of student fees, Drapier's best guess is that there will be some changes in the support system for students but that major changes will not be ready for this coming academic year.
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The Green Party has had what appears to be a successful convention. Great efforts are being made in the party to accelerate the move to thr middle ground and more acceptable policies. A national coalition beckons with Fine Gael and Labour, and even though it seems that the next general election is a long way off, politics is, as ever, unpredictable.