The Social Democrats are centre stage as they consider who should take the reigns, as Fine Gael top brass reveal that they got stoned. The Ceann Comhairle has strong words for Russian parliamentarians, urging them to stand up to Putin and end his year-long rampage across Ukraine.

Áine Lawlor is joined by Sandra Hurley, Micheál Lehane and Paul Cunningham to discuss the week's events, and ponder what happened to all the pro-Protocol choreography. Did Rishi bottle it? All the while, the Sinn Féin / Fine Gael expenses grudge-match rumbles on.

Hash Wednesday and Holly Cairns' meteoric ascent

Minister of State Niall Collins effectively tells the Dáil that there's 'nothing to see here', but will that appease the Opposition? Fine Gael try to turn up the heat on Sinn Féin over party finances, but really, is that going anywhere? Host Áine Lawlor is joined by Sorcha Ní Riada, Micheál Lehane and David Murphy to ponder the prospects of a left-wing alliance emerging, and whether Labour has its eye on Violet-Anne Wynne.

Is Niall Collins home free?

Áine Lawlor is joined by David Murphy, Sorcha Ní Riada and Paul Cunningham as Robert Watt underwhelms at the finance committee.

John Paul Phelan underscores the sense that Fine Gael need to put in the hard yards to establish candidates ahead of the next general election. (And just how invested is Leo in the political project?)

The Taoiseach arguably didn't go full bore at Sinn Féin over Jonathan Dowdall, perhaps sensing that hitting too hard may not play well. Áine acknowledges George Mitchell's (latest) heroic turn in Belfast.

And stay tuned for some bizarre calls TDs get on Christmas Day...

Govt awash with cash - so Watt's the problem?

Cutting the price of a generic loaf, while welcome, is nowhere near the sort of result the Government needs amid public clamours for supermarkets to step up. Host Paul Cunningham is joined by Sorcha Ní Riada, Mícheál Lehane and Tommy Meskill to discuss the latest chilling development in the housing crisis as older people face eviction.

"Food, a bit of GAA and a holiday" is all people want, said that force of nature Charlie McCreevy back in the day. With the row over GAAGO, that means double trouble for the Government now.

Govt doesn't get bargain from supermarkets

Should social media firms take footage of the Navan attack down? As protests intensify, is Roderic O'Gorman being thrown under the bus? Áine Lawlor is joined by Paul Cunningham, Sineád Spain and Tommy Meskill to consider a traumatic and violent week.

The Taoiseach is emphatic he wants to tackle the crisis in migrant accommodation, but is being coy about details and deadlines. The Tánaiste opens up discussion of the triple lock, as members of the Opposition warn that removing it will result in the slow death of neutrality.

And what do you get when you cross a Health Minister trained in Taekwondo, John Travolta and a photo op?

Stephen Donnelly the Crouching Tiger

Coalition concerns that they'll soon be fishing for the same votes are boiling over, with Fianna Fáil taking umbrage at a very, very early Fine Gael kite. There are massive expectations of a giveaway, guaranteeing Michael McGrath's maiden budget will be a serious headache. But this week he came out swinging, vowing that he won't be bullied.

All this, on the centenary of the end of the Civil War, almost to the day.

Perhaps the party leaders will solve it at their weekly meeting, and simply tell everyone they're on the same page?

Then again, the Your Politics team notes that Leo isn't exactly an innocent bystander on this one.

Meanwhile, Solidarity-People Before Profit have marked the fifth anniversary of the vote to repeal the 8th ammendment with a bill to overhaul abortion services. But the Govt is keen to stay well away from it.

Host David Murphy is joined by Sorcha Ní Riada, Sandra Hurley and Micheál Lehane.

RTÉ Your Politics Podcast