Even allowing for sulks, boredom, disdain for their minnow-like opposite numbers, pining for higher things, laziness, absenteeism, taking to the drink and a permanent sense of having been unfairly ousted by petty upstarts, still there is so much brain and experience at the top level of the Fianna Fail party that opposition couldn't help but revive the whole business of government. Just as the best of the present ministers would contribute mightily to society as a whole if they moved to other parts of the Irish system and gave their energies to certain key quasi-political posts, though I doubt if they could be bothered to get off their Dail asses for anything less than a small fortune and a Senate seat.

But they'll have to put a bit of energy into opposition, if they end up in opposition.

Because if the wide shot of the Dail (which the viewers, in best Stalinist fashion, are not allowed to see) continually consists of one lone newcomer on his or her feet in a chamber empty of Fianna Failers, the new lot might easily establish themselves as plausible governors. Unharassed by the bruisers and uncorrected by the experts on the coalition front bench, they might be able to dig themselves in . . . there's intelligence and competence there too, though it hasn't yet had a chance to flourish. And where would the Soldiers of Destiny be if they started losing power? Wandering around gymkhanas and rolling up to funerals in their constituencies is where they'd be, their Destiny all of a sudden fulfilled.

No need to pity them. If Fianna Fail go into opposition they'll have had a great run for their money. At county council level their power shades into dictatorship, not least because no FF person ever actually punishes another FF person for dodgy planning relationships or pay-offs from developers or debts unpaid or garages turned into second homes or customers unsupplied or financial scams operated. There can't be a party in Europe as tender of its own miscreants as Fianna Fail. All those cheques we hear of, that the donors earnestly assure us were meant for the party but never got there . . . the party never complained, did it?

Never mentioned it to us, did they? No more than Bertie ever murmured a question to Charlie about what Charlie was up to when he was co-signing cheques with Charlie.

It happens to every group and tribe and party that after a certain amount of time its own, internal standards are more real to it than the standards of the world at large.

What seems best for their interests seems to them to be right . . . hence the outraged tone when they're questioned about their actions by outsiders. There was Martin Mansergh . . .

an honourable man if ever there was one . . . this week whining about the media's emphasis on tribunal-linked questions in this campaign instead of on the achievements of the government. His insiderness prevents him from accepting that there is an election going on and that's what elections are for . . . for scrutinising the politicians as they solicit the favour of our precious votes.

They get a great deal out of politics , politicians do . . . they get influence, self-importance, endless stimulus, privilege. And who else but media people will seek out their flaws? They themselves spend a hell of a lot of money trumpeting their virtues.

I mean it when I say that the achievements of the present coalition government are considerable. But even if this had been the greatest government since time began, I'd still prefer to see total change after the election.

It just isn't right and it isn't bright to recycle the same politicians every few years and not explore other sources of vitality. It isn't good for the recycled people or for us. We have to bring in talent from other groups, for its own sake, but also because if Fianna Fail comes to seem the natural party of government, there is no alternative to its developing or further developing . . . as every other European party that could rely on re-election has developed in its day . . . the spectrum of characteristics that stretches from complacency to corruption.

The PDs I don't worry about, because their party culture, whatever it is, doesn't reach into every nook and cranny of the national life.

They're pure policymakers. But if they go down with the Fianna Fail ship, I'll be sorry.

Unfashionable as it may be to say so, I think both Michael McDowell and Mary Harney have been remarkable and brave ministers, and I wish I could envisage a post-election scenario where they'd coalesce with someone else and someone else would have them. But maybe that can happen? On this great, great week for the island of Ireland, it is possible to believe that anything can happen. That ideologies aren't fixed in stone. That even the mild and cautious electorate of the Republic can embrace change, and that whoever gets elected will, in turn, bring about change in the style and conduct of our governors.

After all . . . not only is Northern Ireland starting off in a new direction, but Steve Staunton is sending out a majority of uncapped players. If he can take a risk like that, so can the rest of us.