Numnber of seats: 5

Mildred Fox (Ind) not standing. Fianna Fail certain of two seats, Fine Gael (Billy Timmins) and Labour (Liz McManus) of one. Last seat between Nicky Kelly (Lab) and Deirdre de Burca (GP).

Prediction: FF 2; FG 1; Lab 1; GP 1.
Best candidate: Liz McManus (Lab)
Weakest link: Nicky Kelly (Lab)
In the long grass: Deirdre de Burca (GP)

Number of seats: 4

Fianna Fail is virtually certain to retain its two seats here with Ned O'Keeffe and Michael Ahern. Fine Gael is certain to retain one seat. It is possible Fine Gael could take two seats here at the expense of Labour.

Prediction: FF 2: FG 2.

Best candidate: Paul Bradford (FG)

Weakest Link: Sean Sherlock (Lab)

Number of seats: 4

This constituency has a lost a seat since the last election. Noel O'Flynn (FF), Billy Kelleher (FF) Bernard Allen (FG) and Kathleen Lynch (Lab) are secure, which means the seat of Danny Wallace (FF) who is retiring will be the one to go.

Prediction: FF 2; FG 1; Lab 1.

Best candidate: Kathleen Lynch (Lab)

Weakest link: Danny Wallace (FF)

Number of seats: 3

Only one of the outgoing TDs, Michael Moynihan (FF) is likely to be relected. Donal Moynihan (FF) is likely to be replaced by Batt O'Keefe (FF). Former TD, Michael Creed (FG) is likely to take the seat of Gerard Murphy (FG). A Fine Gael gain possible.

Prediction: FF2; FG 1.

Best candidate: Michael Moynihan (FF)

Number of seats:  5

Grandstanding by Micheál Martin could cost Fianna Fail a seat here. Fine Gael poised to take two seats with Simon Coveney and Deirdre Clune. Dan Boyle (GP) certain of re-election, unless upset by Labour candidate, Ciaran Lynch.

Prediction: FF: 2; FG 2; GP 1.

Best candidate: Dan Boyle (GP)

Weakest link: Micheál Martin (FF)

In the long grass: Ciaran Lynch (Lab)

Number of seats: 3

Joe Walsh (FF) retiring, which leaves open possibility of Fine Gael's PJ Sheehan taking a second seat for Fine Gael - Jim O'Keeffe (FG) seems secure as does Denis O'Donovan (FF). Conflict within Fianna Fail here could return seat to Fine Gael.

Prediction: FF 1; FG 2.

Best candidate: Denis O'Donovan (FF)

Number of seats: 3

The outgoing Fianna Fail TDs, Mary Coughlan and Pat “The Cope” Gallagher seem secure. The only uncertainty here is whether Fine Gael with Dinny McGinley can hold off the Sinn Fein candidate, Pearse Doherty. McGinley's announced retirement and then reversal has not helped.

Prediction: FF 2; SF 1.

Best candidate: Pearse Doherty (SF)

Number of seats: 4.

This constituency has gained a seat since 2002. The outgoing TDs, John Curran (FF), Mary Harney (PD) and Paul Gogarty (GP) should be secure. The fourth seat is between Frances FitzGerald (FG), Joanna Tuffy (Lab) and Independent local councillor, Derek Keating.

Prediction: FF 1; Lab 1; PDs 1; GP 1.

Best candidate: Mary Harney (PD)

Number of seats: 3

This loses a seat since 2002 when Fianna Fail won two (Sean Haughey and Ivor Callely), Fine Gael one (Richard Bruton) and Finian McGrath (Ind) took the fourth. Fianna Fail in danger of losing one seat (probably Ivor Callely's) and Finian McGrath's seat may also be in jeopardy.

Prediction: FF 2; FG 1.

Best candidate: Richard Bruton (FG)

Weakest link: Ivor Callely (FF)

In the long grass: Bronwen Maher (GP)

Number of seats: 3

Internal dissention within Fianna Fail could see them losing one of their two seats here (Michael Woods or Martin Brady). Tommy Broughan (Lab) should be secure. Sinn Fein hopeful of Larry O'Toole finally being elected to the Dáil.

Prediction: FF 1; Lab 1; SF 1.

Best candidate: Tommy Broughan (Lab)

Weakest link: Brody Sweeney (FG)

In the long grass: Larry O'Toole (SF)