With Fianna Fail and Fine Gael still refusing to accept that size is their only real difference, and to keep Sinn Fein out of power, Fianna Fail and Labour are 'forced' to agree a programme for government. Fine Gael settle into another stint on the opposition benches where they are joined by the Progressive Democrats.

Enda Kenny is viewed as having done a decent job in making his party electable again. However, having led Fine Gael half way up the mountain, he is not being seen as the man to continue another five-year march to the political summit. Fine Gael have the Dail seats and a national organisation, but they lack a really substantial leadership figure in their ranks. At the same time the PDs, having lost Dail seats, look like a collection of personality politicians trading under a battered political banner.

Step forward, and welcome home, Mr McDowell.

In the early 1980s, when he ran Garret FitzGerald's election campaigns in Dublin South East, McDowell must have pondered his prospects of one day leading Fine Gael. But frustrated with the party's direction, he eventually opted for other political options. He now has a leadership job but it may not be the last he holds.

Unlike Des O'Malley and Mary Harney, McDowell is a PD leader from a non-Fianna Fail tradition. He is a genuine Blueshirt.

For those who know their Harry Potter, he's no muggle. There's pure blue blood flowing in his veins. So when McDowell in his first speech as PD leader made his pitch for Fine Gael voters he was talking to his own.

It is too early to say if the leadership change in the PDs is enough to stave off electoral defeat, but McDowell's appeal to Fine Gael (and Green Party) supporters might just work. But if it fails, there may be other opportunities.

He may be taking the scenic route to the top job but if Fine Gael and the PDs end up on the opposition benches after next summer's general election McDowell might be Fine Gael's best lifeline.

THE PDs adjourned last Monday evening to the Hilton Hotel in Dublin to celebrate the election of their new leader.

Mary Harney's husband, Brian Geoghegan, presented Michael McDowell's wife, Niamh Brennan, with a bouquet of flowers.

'Ring if you need any tips' was the message. The Hilton will be home to the Greens at the end of November when the faithful gather for a dinner to mark the 25th anniversary of the party's foundation. Cork Central TD Dan Boyle (above) . . . of You're a Star fame . . . has written a history of the party.

Boyle promises a 'warts and all' story with contributions from 25 party members. The book . . . Journey to Change . . .

will undoubtedly be required reading for Enda Kenny and Bertie Ahern, given that the Greens are still keeping their coalition options wide open.

Labour's love could be lost on FG
SINCE his election as Labour leader, Pat Rabbitte has contributed greatly to the rejuvenation of Fine Gael. By backing Kenny as the alternative taoiseach, he's made the Fine Gael leader relevant. Yet in this alliance, Labour has thus far done all the giving. Only time will tell what Rabbitte manages to secure in return by way of policy concession.

Rabbitte's decision to sup with Fine Gael in Sligo last week is his biggest political gamble yet. If the strategy backfires it could see FG cannibalising Labour seats.

FG strategist Frank Flannery was operating as a political spin doctor extraordinaire with his prediction of 60 Fine Gael seats.

It's not a prediction shared in these quarters.

But if Flannery is correct then Labour is in huge trouble. Then it would be goodbye to Tommy Broughan, Roisin Shorthall, Joe Costello and Joan Burton. The welcome this group give Enda Kenny in Cork at Labour's think-in this week will be revealing.

FF asserts its independents
FIANNA Fail is set to continue with a policy of bypassing its own party members and local representatives as general election candidates.

Independent councillor Mike Crowe has already been recruited as a Fianna Fail candidate in Galway West. Now it seems the party's constituency committee has decided to back Pat Casey as one of Dick Roche's running mates in Wicklow. Casey was elected as an independent in the last local elections. He owns the Glendalough Hotel and is a nephew of the former Bishop of Galway Eamon Casey.