“Ah, we are not doing much, only seeking to determine the future course of our country” — a quip from one senior politician when asked how the talks have been going, amid chatter that the two sides are simply sitting around drinking tea all day. The routine has become the same, writes Daniel McConnell.

In a recent compelling but largely ignored speech, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe made a strong claim to the political centre ground, heralding, in his view, the rise of the moderate.