BETRAYAL is a universal theme commemorated today, Spy Wednesday. This is the liturgical memorial when, by tradition, Judas took 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus, and entered into a pact he would live to regret, but could never escape — no matter that he would end up “throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple”.

THE significance of President Michael D Higgins dining in state at Windsor castle last night is that it is the culmination of British recognition of Irish independence. It is also a full recognition of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

THE appalling vista for Fine Gael is that the ultimate outcome of the debacle involving Alan Shatter, Martin Callinan and An Garda Síochána will be that it allows Sinn Féin to make its most significant, strategic electoral gains yet in the Republic. Compared to the rise of Sinn Féin, the reputational decline of Shatter is small stuff.

THE furore cumulating yesterday in the resignation of Garda Commissioner Callinan and the intensifying pressure now on the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, is important.

THERE is a great lusting for a moral economy.

FÁILTE IRELAND is a successful sales organisation that shapes Irish identity more than most.

IF MICHEÁL MARTIN isn’t Tánaiste after the next election he’ll be toast. If Labour can’t deliver sufficient numbers to form a government with Fine Gael, the prospect of a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil coalition will come into view.

REPUTATIONAL collapse abroad and economic wreckage at home, remain bitter memories.

THE last government was too long in power.

The difference between last week’s big story — Pantigate — and this week’s — the alleged bugging of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission’s (GSOC) office — is about 100 yards.