Number of seats: 3
Fianna Fail have held two seats here forever, aside from 1987 when the PDs took one of these seats and 1997, when Fine Gael won two. PDs and Fine Gael again challenging Fianna Fail here for the last seat.
Prediction: FF 2; FG1.
Best candidate: Dan Neville (FG)
Weakest link: Niall Collins (FF)
In the long grass: Michael Brennan (PD)
Number of seats: 4
A new constituency. Willie Penrose (Lab) certain. Mary O'Rourke (FF) likely to regain the seat she lost in 2002 and Peter Kelly (FF) likely to retain his. Donie Cassidy (FF) in trouble. Mae Sexton (PD) certain to lose out.
Prediction: FF 2; FG 1; Lab 1.
Best candidate: Mary O'Rourke (FF)
Weakest link: Mae Sexton (PD)
In the long grass: Donie Cassidy (FF)
Number of seats: 5
Fine Gael has effectively given up on regaining third seat in the constituency of its current leader, Edna Kenny. The two Independent TD, Beverly Flynn and Jerry Crowley are in jeopardy, but Beverly should hold on.
Prediction: FF 2; FG 2; Ind 1
Best candidate: Beverly Flynn (Ind)
Weakest link: John Carty (FF)
In the long grass: Dara Calleary (FF)
Number of seats: 3
A new constituency. Fianna Fail will take one seat, Fine Gael another (Shane McEntee) and Labour (Dominic Hannigan) the third. The Greens could have done well here had they established a presence early enough.
Prediction: FF 1; FG 1; Lab 1.
Best candidate: Dominic Hannigan (Lab)
Weakest link: Mary Wallace (FF)
In the long grass: Thomas Byrne (FF)
Number of seats: 3
If there is a collapse in the Fianna Fail vote, Joe Reilly (SF) could take a seat here with Johnny Brady (FF) losing out. The Meath footballer, Graham Geraghty (FG) might be in with a chance too.
Prediction: FF 2; FG 1.
Best candidate: Noel Dempsey (FF)
Weakest link: Johnny Brady (FF)
In the long grass: Joe Reilly (SF)
Number of seats: (3)
If the tide is coming in for Fine Gael it could take a second seat here from either John Ellis (FF) or Michael Finneran (FF). Denis Naughton (FG) is safe. Geography will determine very much the outcome here.
Prediction: FF 1; FG 2.
Best candidate: Denis Naughton (FG)
Weakest link: Michael Finneran (FF).
Number of seats: 3
Marian Harkin (Ind) was elected to the European Parliament in 2004 and will not be standing. Jim McGarry (Lab) has an ambiguous record on the Traveller issue, not that that is an electoral disadvantage.
Prediction: FF 2; FG 1.
Best candidate: John Perry (FG)
Weakest link: Jim McGarry (Lab)
In the long grass: Michael Comiskey (FG)
Number of seats: 3
Martin Mansergh (FF) not certain to take the seat of retiring Noel Davern. It could be Siobhan Ambrose (FF). Seamus Healy, the socialist Independent could also be in difficulty fending off Phil Prendergast (Lab).
Prediction: FF 1; FG 1; Ind 1.
Best candidate: Martin Mansergh (FF)
Weakest link: Seamus Healy (Ind)
In the long grass: Siobhan Ambrose (FF)
Number of seats: 4
Martin Cullen (FF) has been one of the most incompetent ministers. John Deasy (FG) one of the most maverick TDs. Both certain of reelection. Brian O'Shea seems sure for Labour.
Prediction: FF 2; FG 1; Lab 1.
Best candidate: Brian O'Shea (Lab)
Weakest link: Martin Cullen (FF)
In the long grass: David Cullinane (SF).
Number of seats: 5
John Browne (FF), Paul Keogh (FG) and Brendan Howling (Lab) seem secure. Liam Twomey (FG) elected as an Independent in 2002 should be ok for Fine Gael, although he faces a challenge from Michael D'Arcy (FG).
Prediction: FF 2; FG 2; Lab 1.
Best candidate: Brendan Howlin (Lab)
Weakest link: Liam Twomey (FG)
In the long grass: Michael D'Arcy (FG).