Senator Déirdre de Búrca’s resignation from the Green Party and Seanad Éireann yesterday sent shockwaves through Irish politics similar to those caused by the resignation of George Lee from Fine Gael and Dáil Éireann at the start of the week.

IT is said that the more things change, the more they stay the same. In relation to Dáil elections, that is broadly true. In 1957 and 1961, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael between them secured 81% - 82% of the popular vote. Come 2007, an economic transformation and a 30-odd year terrorist campaign later, that had dipped, but only slightly, to 77.5%.

THE Progressive Democrats were suggesting this week that they are going to fold up their tent and fade away.

THIS week Fine Gael has been remembering John A Costello and the 60th anniversary of the Fine Gael-led coalition government that came to power in February 1948.

A ceremony was taking place in Co Galway today to honour former Minister for Health Dr Noel Browne and his wife Phyllis.

BRENDAN HOWLIN and Pat Rabbitte were squabbling about what Labour will or will not do after the next general election.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has stated that Sinn Féin deserves credit for totally renouncing violence. Hence, Fianna Fáil would accept the backing of Sinn Féin.

SEAMUS MOYNIHAN, the former captain of the Kerry football team, announced his retirement from the sport this week. In the process, he set an example which could be followed to the benefit of the whole nation.

It is hard to understand the mentality of those who have made a fuss over Fr Iggy O’Donovan inviting the Reverend Michael Graham, a Church of Ireland Minister, to join in the celebration of Mass on Easter Sunday.

It is hard to understand the mentality of those who have made a fuss over Fr Iggy O’Donovan inviting the Reverend Michael Graham, a Church of Ireland Minister, to join in the celebration of Mass on Easter Sunday.

RUAIRI BRUGHA, the former Fianna Fáil TD and MEP who died yesterday, was described by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern as a person with a real passion for politics and a deep sense of patriotism.

A SENIOR editor once said to me: “Do you know, I have no qualifications?” I have all the degrees I could get in my field, but only a person who does not have them thinks they are so important.

I SAT in Seanad Éireann for an hour one afternoon in September last year. I didn’t become a member of the Seanad or win any elections, or anything like that.

ALL Irish political parties have their myths. They can be useful in motivating membership and cementing internal party unity.

THE re-partition plan presented to Ted Heath in July 1972 attracted more attention than any of the other documents released this week.

THIS year will probably be best remembered for things like the introduction of the euro, and the first re-election of a coalition in the history of the State.