THE Constitution of any country is crucial, both in its letter and in its spirit.

THE opposition are now in charge in Dáil Éireann. That’s the immediate outcome of the Green Party action yesterday afternoon. Without the junior partner in Government, Fianna Fáil does not have the numbers to do anything without prior opposition permission.

DESPERATE distraction, all this Fianna Fáil leadership stuff, isn’t it?

DON’T know if I can stand the pressure.

THE snowploughs were still out, but in single file, not battalions.

I WOULDN’T describe it as a panic attack, but it was one, really.

I ONCE had a boss who didn’t believe in departing staff working out their notice.

I HAVE always thought Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer needs someone to plant a corrective foot in his furry nether parts.

THE fact that Ray Foley is a Twitter quitter just might start a trend.

AND then came the snow. Saturday night was still and windless. It was then the snow came, dry and persistent, layer on layer, covering and outlining and transforming everything in crisp perfect whiteness.