EVEN THE PROTESTERS FAILED TO SHOW

TODAY marks the last day of the dreaded think-ins for the big traditional parties – an annual fixture that is a headache for all concerned and in more ways than one. Most politicians would cheerfully strangle the whizzkid who dreamt up the idea of an away-day, just as most journalists would do the same to the bright spark who suggested putting up free news on the internet on the basis that this computer cobweb could never catch on.

Since Brian Cowen’s nasal congestion at the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway – where surely they must have named a cocktail after him – few politicians now dare open their mouths to sing, although they will still order drink to a respectably early hour. The Lakes Of Ponchartrain have run dry and the lakes of pints receded to mere puddles.

In the daylight hours, the politi- cos see the think-in as akin to running the gauntlet. The media are there en masse and in search of a story and, in truth, the parties generally have little to give them except thin gruel (news-wise) and decent food (election-wise). Any misstep or unfortunate encounter will be punished ruthlessly by the political hacks.

Even the grub has been toned down from the days when your correspondent was caught out at table by early editions being tweeted of ‘Five Course Fine Gael’ on the basis of a menu procured and filed earlier.

It was actually seven courses but that did not allow for alliteration.

Fianna Fáil and the embedded news types sat down to dinner in the Marine Hotel last night but it was mainly the policy menu that was up for discussion.

The Dáil is back from its long summer break next week (later than usual under this reformist crew) and all are wary of conveying luxury to an electorate of latent antipathy.

Yet perhaps the public mood is lifting. It is noteworthy that there were no protesters at Fine Gael last week, despite the Dunraven Arms being easily accessible and effectively doubling as a public house as well as hotel.

Similarly, no anti-water charges protesters darkened the door of the Glenview Hotel in Wicklow yesterday, even though the Betrayers of Socialism were meeting in conclave. Many members of the Garda Public Order Unit were present at the Labour think-in, just in case.

So these gatherings raise profile but a very low and wary profile.

And ironically, two of the newer groups that could desperately do with the publicity are holding events this weekend when everyone else will have cleared off and the electorate’s appetite is likely to be low.

THE Social Democrats have a policy conference on Friday night, which is likely to be a yawn-in after a long week. The very next day, the Independent Alliance, surely a contradiction in terms, is meeting in Athlone, a suitably straddling town.

Next week, the Dáil reconvenes but instead of all this forwardlooking frippery it will be a case of our tired and ancient chamber looking backwards. We will review the Fennelly Report and a motion of confidence will be tabled by the Government to replace the Opposition’s one of no confidence in the Taoiseach.

Even the manoeuvring itself is outdated as we all look back to March 2014 and an event that – even at the time – only briefly detained the public attention.

So while the political parties have been trying to generate pizzazz and to boost their own morale, the mood of the public seems inscrutable, although perhaps edging towards some degree of restored trust in the Coalition parties.

If that is the case, then for Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and others the election really can’t come quick enough.

Which is why the Government will bore them and berate them far beyond the Budget.