LET’S get Alan Shatter back his job. Let’s start a campaign here for a man who has been grievously wronged. Isn’t that the implication of the Cooke report into alleged bugging of the Garda Ombudsman’s office? Shatter was right all along. There was bugger-all bugging going on.

THE Tuam babies story this week says much about the past, but about the present also.

LAST week, another blow was dealt to democracy in this country and it has passed with little comment.

WELL, that’s sorted then. Everything has changed. The publication of the Guerin report into allegations made by Sergeant Maurice McCabe has ushered in a new era. From here on, An Garda Siochána will be properly accountable. Whistleblowers will be listened to.

MAURICE McCabe’s voice has never been heard in public. No microphone has been thrust under his chin by a salivating pack of reporters. He has not sat in the Late Late Show chair next to Ryan Tubridy and held a nation transfixed with his story. Marian Finucane has not had the opportunity to excavate his character. Neither has Matt Cooper, nor any of the programme presenters on Newstalk. Vincent Browne has never had the pleasure.

THE fallout from the end of the trial of the Anglo Irish bankers has spoken volumes. Now that little matter is out of the way, the wheels of justice, we are assured, will grind a little faster.

IF YOU were looking for a slice of contemporary Irish political culture, it was all there last week. Starring role went to Ruairi Quinn, a career politician who is on the last lap. The Greek chorus was supplied by a couple of teachers’ conferences.

MARY Robinson would never cut it as Flash Gordon. While Flash had only 14 hours to save the universe, Mrs Robinson has given us all of 20 years to save the planet.

IT WAS a historic week: Michael D went to meet the Queen; Martin Mac went to meet the Queen; Tommie Gorman went to meet the Queen.

HAVE you ever heard The Football Association of Ireland described as the greatest organisation in the country? Me neither.