Deasy makes a move to break out of the spancels

Drapier: Each party ardfheis throws up controversies, and the recent Progressive Democrats weekend was no exception

Drapier: Each party ardfheis throws up controversies, and the recent Progressive Democrats weekend was no exception. It is a right-wing party, and the images of the weekend were vivid.

First we had the lips-on-lips kiss between Michael McDowell and Mary Harney. Quite explicit, eyes closed. We move swiftly from the soft mood of McDowell to the declamatory note he struck when he posed dramatically in front of a spread-out Tricolour, declared this was our flag and reclaimed republicanism.

Mary Harney's speech was solid and measured. To be followed the next day by an interview reported fully in The Irish Times in which she laid out again her party's stall regarding transport innovations, both in Aer Rianta and CIE.

Fair enough. It was her party's conference, and as party leader she had every right to renew her pledge in these areas. But it was ill judged and strident. The conference had gone well, talks are continuing with the unions. Bertie had poured his emollient tones over the proceedings, and there is a belief that matters are chugging along nicely, albeit at a slow pace.

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Observers say change will come, but that interventions such as recent ones from the Minister for Transport at the Fianna Fáil Ardfheis and Mary Harney simply make the task more difficult for those who have to mop up afterwards.

Talk of republicanism last weekend was lively, with Michael McDowell reclaiming the slogan of republicanism for his party, and reports that Fianna Fáil was dumping the term "republican" for the party.

Not so, however. Drapier has seen a sharp memo from the Fianna Fáil press director during the week, saying that the logo and identity of the party since 1926 are "Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party" and will stay so.

The smoking ban brought its own reverberations during the week. Steely, determined, forthright were some of the journalistic comments attributed to Micheál Martin when he successfully brought in the ban on smoking.

Political repercussions followed. The Minister for Health went up the political scale dramatically in the leadership stakes. There was a circling of wagons around the two frontline would-be leaders, Brian Cowen and Micheál Martin. Drapier is of the opinion, however, that they'll have a long wait, as there isn't any sign or any inclination of Bertie Ahern moving on to fresh pastures.

More dramatically, it brought an end, temporarily at least, to a bright star in the Fine Gael firmament. John Deasy was, is and always will be a rebel, and no one should be surprised. He is like his father before him, bright and intelligent, but finds that toeing the party line is a difficult challenge.

The belief is that by smoking in the Dáil bar he was in fact making his own statement that he wanted out of the spancels which were corralling him on the front bench and that he most of all will be glad that he is now free.

Each member of the Oireachtas got a strict memo from the superintendent, Paul Conway, the person in charge of the Houses of the Oireachtas, telling us in brisk form that smoking will be prohibited in all indoor areas of the Leinster House complex from March 29th, 2004. Punishment had to follow for John Deasy, and it swiftly did.

David Norris was causing waves again in the Seanad during the week when he proclaimed that RTÉ was in the pocket of Fianna Fáil.

There was merriment all around and the Leader of the Seanad in response firmly stated that it was quite a ridiculous comment. Particularly so when one remembers that Terry Leyden was held to account over comments he made about RTÉ as he alleged (and later apologised for) the biased nature of its reporting on health.

The campaign for Europe is warming up nicely. Women galore running in Dublin (except for Fianna Fáil, which is fielding no female whatsoever). Gay Mitchell will be the frontrunner for Fine Gael and seems likely to garner a seat. General political opinion is that he would do better for Fine Gael if he was the sole standard-bearer.

During the past week the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) had a gathering to tell people of their planned coverage of the forthcoming local and European elections. What was interesting about the night was the number of European candidates who were present. Ivana Bacik was there, Marian Harkin, Royston Brady, Lord Mayor of Dublin, and Mary Lou McDonald, with Sinn Fein Party President, Gerry Adams.

Later that same Tuesday night Gerry Adams and Mary Lou addressed a public meeting in Dundrum at which a spy reports to Drapier that there was a huge overflow attendance with the crowd in the hall spilled outside.

The meeting had been well advertised with posters, public announcements etc.

Dundrum is Middle Ireland, so to speak, and McDowell's campaign against Sinn Féin does not seem to be having an impact on its increasing popularity.

Each party has a strong stake in the outcome of the elections, but, Drapier reckons, none more so than Sinn Féin. It needs to make strong gains and is putting everything it has into it. It regards Gerry Adams as its best selling-point, hence his appearance everywhere.

Drapier makes no apology for returning again to the theme of Europe. Across the political divide, not just in Ireland but throughout Europe, there is well-merited praise for the Taoiseach in his role as President of Europe. He is first and foremost a conciliator and the frame and format of the new Constitution for Europe will reach fruition during his tenure.