Micheál Martin, a savvy political operator, keeps his circle small. He has curated relationships over a number of years, and takes their counsel seriously. Although most formal appointments haven’t been made yet, his pick of personal advisors will come as no surprise to those who have observed him in Leinster House for the last two decades.

On the brink of the month of the Holy Souls, it is with saints and sinners we are dealing today and, sadly too, our deeply ingrained racism and misogyny and sheer sinful roguery.