Elaine Loughlin: Spare a thought for the Ministers of Zoom 

Deputy Political Editor Elaine Loughlin says Micheál Martin has been denied a St Patrick's Day visit to the White House — but that all eyes will once again be on Ireland's global impact

It was Mary Harney who famously coaxed Green Party leader John Gormley into the 2007 coalition with the advice that even the worst day in government is better than the best day in opposition.

There must have been many days over the past nine months when Micheál Martin has seriously questioned those words of wisdom.