Well, much good that 'Fiver Budget' did for Fianna Fáil, as its TDs sit becalmed in the opinion polls. And yes, the centre appears to be holding all right - provided you deem the centre to be the sum of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
There is better news for Enda Kenny himself, and not just because his party has not lost ground. He will take succour from the two-point increase for the shakey Independent Alliance, which should help settle them in Government.
It is an unsettling time for Sinn Féin which, like Fianna Fáil, is stuck in a rut. It is also bad news for Labour, which is below its abysmal general election standing of last February. It is good news for Independents of all hues, some in Government and most of them outside. They remain the choice of one in 10 potential voters.
But the real winner right now in this latest Red C opinion poll for the 'Sunday Business Post' is the clumsily named Anti-Austerity Alliance People Before Profit (AAA-PBP). That grouping is at an all-time high of 9pc, with a three-point increase.
Yes, three percentage points is within the margin of error. But Richard Colwell, the Red C boss, argues that a drilling into its support shows much for the AAA-PBP to be happy about.
It gets one in eight voters in the 18-55 age cohort and shows well with more affluent voters. While half its support is Dublin-based, it could extend into other urban areas, notably Limerick, Waterford and Galway.
There are grounds to suggest that it is damaging Labour and Sinn Féin. And that means it could also impact Fianna Fáil.
Let's not delay for long in again recalling that the election of AAA's Paul Murphy to Dublin South West in the by-election of October 2014 spooked Sinn Féin and caused the party to hurriedly harden its stance against water charges. This drove Fianna Fáil to do likewise and abandon water charges, which it had endorsed in October 2009.
At a time when our creaky-leaky Victorian water systems are screaming out for investment, this was lowest-common-denominator politics at its worst.
But it is life as it is - and we had better get on with things.
The AAA-PBP's rise is a real concern for Brendan Howlin and hopes of reviving Labour's fortunes, especially in Dublin. His support for repealing the Eighth Amendment on abortion and speeding up public pay restoration is not resonating with the public. His reasoned approach is passing by unnoticed.
The AAA-PBP's in-your-face call for an early referendum on the Eighth grabbed the headlines and upped its profile. The grouping's €25bn "money for everyone" Budget plan, funded by making the rich pay, clearly has a populist appeal - even if it is the road to national ruin.
This survey, which is consistent with the trend in recent polls for the 'Sunday Independent' and others, is a disappointment for Micheál Martin, though he is better than many at giving it "the only poll that counts is the election". The reality is that Fianna Fáil, via a very strident Willie O'Dea, drove the successful campaign for welfare increases. It had grounds to hope for some voter dividend.
But this outcome is also good news for Enda Kenny's 'KEGB' campaign, which has gone up a gear in the last 10 days. Lest you are wondering, that acronym stands for 'Keep Enda at Government Buildings'.
With Fianna Fáil stalled, and the Independent Alliance on the up, the Taoiseach will say a period of relative stability lies ahead.
The man now arguing that he is also the 'Minister for Brexit' will tell more restive colleagues that his presence is very definitely required to sustain stability.
Predictions, even by some moderate people within Fine Gael, that things will "heat up" after Christmas if Mr Kenny remains as leader, may well be tested. For now, the Taoiseach appears to be nailing his feet to the floor.
Away from immediate party interests, it remains clear that bar the odd detailed change, an early general election would deliver the same deadlock. The sum of the support for the Independent Alliance and other Independents, both inside and outside of Government, totals one in six voters.
Thus Independents remain a powerful brand and it is interesting to note that Government participation has not really harmed that brand. Clearly, people like Finian McGrath are getting some credit for initiatives for the disabled. Things must also be helped by the impeccable performance of the other Independent ministers, Denis Naughten and Katherine Zappone, since entering Cabinet on May 6.
There has been a small dividend for the Green Party, perhaps related to its surprise Budget stance in favour of stay-at-home parents. We may see more surprises here in the future as the Greens look at some of their EU colleagues' unexpected stances on issues such as religion.
We might also spare a thought for the redoubtable Councillor John Leahy of Ferbane, Co Offaly, who was brave enough to take up the leadership of Renua. As that party's support slips below 1pc, we are reminded that it is murder for small parties in Ireland trying to gain a foothold.
So, that is the political party scene as we face into a very uncertain week for public services. This coming Friday, we could very well be without gardaí on the streets. And this day week, the bulk of secondary schools may be shut down indefinitely.
Maybe the "politics of protest" are not as alluring as they seem.
Irish Independent
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