Enda Kenny never impressed in politics until well after he became leader of Fine Gael. But he has rescued his party from the doldrums of defeat in 2002 and now has a real chance of heading the next government. By Vincent Browne

How to use your vote to make a real diffence where it matters, on issues of inequality, gender imbalance, health, violence against women

From the Village magazine archive on Politico: An interview between Enda Kenny and Vincent Browne from the 2007 campaign.

While Bertie Ahern's statement on the Beresford house transactions appeared to answer several of the questions that had arisen, an analysis of the private interview he gave to the Planning tribunal lawyers deepens his problems. By Vincent Browne

Charlie Haughey underestimated PJ Mara. Underestimated the extent to which PJ softened Charlie's public image, made him more electorally and media friendly. Underestimated PJ's intellect, his strategic prowess. Underestimated even PJ's loyalty. He was mean and, at times, cruel to PJ.

Number of seats: 5

Can Liz O Donnell (PD) retain her seat? Were she to lose then either Alex White (Lab) or Alan Shatter (FG) would gain, Eamon Ryan's (GP) seat is not entirely certain either. Seamus Brennan (FF), Tom Kitt (FF) and Olivia Mitchell (FG) secure.  

Best Candidate: Alex White (Lab)

Weakest Link: Liz O'Donnell (PD)

In the long grass: Maria Corrigan (FF) 

Number of seats: 4

It gets an extra seat this time and therefore the three outdoing TDs should be safe: Bernard Durcan (FG), Emmet Stagg (Lab) and Catherine Murphy (Ind).  There is a chance that Fianna Fail could take two seats here with Áine Brady and Michael Fitzpatrick.

Prediction: FF 1; FG 1; Lab 1; Ind 1.

Best candidate: Catherine Murphy (Ind)

Weakest link: Áine Brady

In the long grass: Shane FitzGerald (GP)

Number of seats: 3

Alan Dukes lost the Fine Gael seat here in 2002 and the issue is can this be recovered? Former MEP Alan Gillis has been drafted in and it is possible Fianna Fail could drop a seat. Labour is secure.

Prediction: FF 1; FG 1; Lab 1.

Best candidate: Alan Gillis (FG)

Weakest link: Sean O'Fearghaill (FF)

In the long grass: John Dardis (PD)

Number of seats: 5

Fine Gael's Charlie Flanagan should recover the seat he lost in 2002. Whether this is at the expense of Tom Parlon (PD) or Sean Fleming (FF) is not clear. Olwyn Enright (FG) not certain of her seat either.

Prediction: FF 3; FG 2.

Best candidate: Olwyn Enright (FG)

Weakest ling: Tom Parlon (PD)

In the long grass: Charlie Flanagan (FG)

Number of seats: 5

Fianna Fail certain of two sets with Willie O'Dea and Peter Power. Jan O'Sullivan (Lab) and Michael Noonan (FG) also secure. Tom O'Malley (PD) likely to lose his seat to Kieran O'Donnell (FG).

Prediction: FF2; FG 2; Lab 1.

Best candidate: Jan O'Sullivan (Lab)

Weakest link: Tim O'Malley (PD)

In the long grass:  Kieran O'Donnell (FG).