People seem puzzled that Michael Martin should abandon principle and the smooth progress of government to shove through a ludicrous deal with Lowry. Students of history know that abandoning principles for power comes naturally to Fianna Fáil – going back to the oath of allegiance in the 1920s.

Micheál Martin must be regretting the term “peacemaker” he applied to Trump in his deferential visit to the White House. Today’s slaughter in Gaza (that Trump“green lit”) shows that peace to Trump means the surrender of the weaker party to the stronger under non-negotiable terms. Watch out Ukraine.

Glorious sunny day on the beach near Corbawn.