Ahern facing challenge in his own backyard

All Cabinet and junior ministers are under pressure to deliver a Yes vote in the Nice referendum, but perhaps the biggest pressure is on the Taoiseach himself.

Mr Ahern also faces a major challenge in increasing the turnout from a dismal 34.79 per cent last year, the lowest in the five EU referendums since 1972. Senior Fianna Fáil sources are hopeful they can increase that turnout by some 10 per cent to 45 per cent, which the party believes will vindicate its decision to hold a second referendum.

The Taoiseach's Dublin Central constituency was among the five highest No voting constituencies in June 2001, with 60.05 per cent against the treaty.

A spokeswoman for Mr Ahern said that was why he was concentrating so much on his constituency. Over the past number of weeks, the Taoiseach has been out "knocking on doors", and constituency workers were out every day. In addition Mr Ahern spent Saturday canvassing in Dublin Central, which historically delivers a strong left-wing vote, electing No campaigning Independent TD Mr Tony Gregory.

It also produced a strong vote for Sinn Féin.

The Taoiseach has also been canvassing in other constituencies with Cabinet and backbench TDs.

Just two constituencies - Dublin South and Dún Laoghaire - voted Yes last year, but of the 40 remaining constituencies, Dublin South West had the highest No turnout at 61.58 per cent. Kerry North was next at 60.57 per cent, followed by Donegal South-West 60.38, Donegal North-East at 60.14, and Dublin Central in fifth place.

Dublin South-West, with the highest No vote in the State, was the constituency of the Tánaiste, Ms Harney. She has since moved to the new constituency of Dublin Mid-West, and according to a spokesman, has canvassed in her bailiwick of Lucan, Saggart, Rathcoole, Newcastle and Clondalkin.

The two Donegal constituencies will also come under pressure, but are expected to do better because of increased ministerial representation, with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, and Ministers of State Mr Pat (The Cope) Gallagher and Dr Jim McDaid.

In the critically important last days of the campaign, Fianna Fáil is focusing on its "heartland", the areas where it did particularly well in the general election. They include Meath, Laois-Offaly and Kildare.

Today, Fianna Fáil is to hold 12 simultaneous press conferences around the State, each hosted by a Cabinet minister and local TDs.

On the ground, the party is "very happy" with the response from the previously No voting constituencies of Dublin North, Dublin South-East and Dublin South Central.

Pressure is also on the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Ó Cuív, who caused major controversy after the last referendum when he stated publicly that he had voted No.

A junior minister at the time, he was called the man "who canvassed Yes and voted No". Reports that he had not been out canvassing in his Galway West constituency were dismissed by a spokeswoman, who said the Minister had been out at the heart of the Yes campaign. He attended many public meetings and debates, she said.