Germany stuns as it ditches fiscal rectitude for tanks and guns. France thumbs its nose at the US, rallies a coalition of the willing and offers to extend its nuclear umbrella. Gorilla handshakes and golf links beckon as Micheál Martin prepares to greet Donald Trump in Washington. Amid the turmoil, the Dáil is knocking off - again - until the 19th.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanks Ireland as he fights for a just peace with Russia. The EU is on the outer orbit of the talks, but will be picking up the tab. Simon Harris struggles to get a clear message on the triple lock. And the speaking rights row has gone toxic, fueling instability when our political system least needs it.

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US President Donald Trump is causing mayhem in liberal democracies. The speed and focus of his offensive has surprised many, not least Volodymyr Zelensky. As EU heavyweights convene, Ireland is very much at the edge of the table. Back home, the housing minister faces charges of being MIA. And Linda Martin for the Áras?

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The latest fracas between Sinn Féin and the Gov has our correspondent reaching for Marcus Aurelius. Micheál Martin's irked remarks got the Ceann Comhairle's attention: is a walk-back imminent? Then he's got that tricky Paddy's Day visit to the White House. Housing continues to dominate, briefly eclipsed by the Arts Council blowing millions of euro.

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Demand continues to soar as delivery stumbles, landing the Govt in a serious jam over housing. Planning reforms face legal challenges, so who can deliver the Big Bang that is clearly needed? And were voters sold a pup? Micheál Martin has a pop at the Soc Dems, who pop right back as wrangling over Storm Éowyn fallout continues.

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A Government proposal to break the logjam over speaking rights has been met with another barrage of fury from Opposition ranks. It's shaping up to be a repeat Dáil row next week over the Goverment-supporting technical group. Meanwhile, gender imbalance continues to keep the Cabinet off kilter. And the Seanad count ploughs on.

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It was a good day, ministerially speaking, for male barristers named James. Women fared far worse in Cabinet appointments. There's the freshness of new new faces, but also a lack of experience. How much scope does James Browne have at Housing, after Darragh O'Brien's struggle? Paul's bus chats provide crucial intelligence.

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Are the Regional Indos in or out? A bit of both, maybe. There's not much passionate support for the Prog for Govt, but not much criticism either. FF and FG got it over the line, which was far from given. No timelines or costings as the new govt waits for the impact of Trump 2.0 on our open economy. And parliamentary party rooms are up for grabs.

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It's all go, if a bit slow. Will we have a new government by the 22 January deadline, or is after St Brigid's Day more likely? And don't forget the Seanad elections. A DPP file, 14 years after the final Moriarty report, may spell tribunal trouble for Michael Lowry, arguably not a great look for new generation political avatar, Simon Harris.

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After fierce speculation and passionate appeals from the candidates, the Dáil has its first female Ceann Comhairle. Michael Lowry emerges as a key player and kingmaker, if a controversial one, overseeing Verona Murphy's historic appointment. And now the Healy-Raes look set to give the new administration a half-leg up.

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