The regional newspapers are clearly getting ready for a general election within the next few months. In the Guardian, which circulates in Tipperary, Clare, Galway, Limerick and Offaly, Gerry Slevin quotes the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, as saying recently: "I'm telling you now it's in May."
Slevin goes on: "For several months past, there has been much speculation as to when the general election will be held, the Taoiseach continuing to maintain that the Government will complete its five-year term. in office. However, the Nenagh announcement, as Mr Ahern addressed the public in Banba Square was the first time he became specific on the subject." The same paper devotes two full pages inside to the Taoiseach's visit.
The Roscommon Champion gives front-page prominence to a headline: "Connor claims rural action plan is an election ploy." The same paper has a report on its front page by Paul Healy which says: "Cllr Frank Feighan's ambitious bid to be added to the Fine Gael general election ticket in Longford/Roscommon has failed.
" The Boyle area councillor was informed by telephone that party leader Mr Michael Noonan had decided against adding Cllr Feighan to the current Louis Belton - John Connor - Denis Naughten ticket."
The Roscommon Herald leads its front page with a headline on the same topic: "Noonan fails to back Feighan" over a report which says: "Fine Gael Councillor Frank Feighan's last-ditch attempt to join the party's general election ticket failed when the party leader, Michael Noonan, declined to put his nomination before a meeting of the National Executive."
The Kingdom reports under John O'Mahony's by-line that : "Fine Gael in South Kerry is to select its candidates for the next general election on November 11th. The troubled branch, which has failed in its attempts to lure big-name candidates to represent the party in the constituency, is believed to have settled on a two-candidate strategy."
The Westmeath Examiner gives lavish coverage to the visit to the constituency of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. The front-page banner headline says: "Taoiseach casts doubt on Mullingar decentralisation. But Longford /Westmeath £45 million is safe".
Another headline on the same page says: "Bertie's pub crawl through Devlin" even though a photograph higher up on the page shows the Taoiseach drinking a cup of tea.
The report by Sharon Newman points out Mr Ahern visited two pubs on his visit to Devlin. Inside there is, however, a photograph which shows the Taoiseach with a pint in his hand.
The Connaught Telegraph, in a report by Tom Kelly, says: "A Fianna Fβil member of Mayo County Council has claimed the Government is committing 'political suicide' by failing to ensure the town of Belmullet receives a natural gas supply.
" Mr Tim Quinn admitted it would be "exceedingly difficult" for public representatives like himself to face the Erris public in the run-up to the next general election in the event of the region 'getting its greatest ever slap in the face'. "
The paper reports "the arrival of natural gas in Mayo is poised to explode into a major political hot potato in the forthcoming election."
The Bray People carries a headline which says: "FG in turmoil over nomination snub." A report by Keith Watterson reveals that: "Fine Gael was left reeling this week after Greystones councillor Derek Mitchell accused the party leadership of trying to impose its favoured election candidate on the local organisation. Cllr. Mitchell's accusations have left the party shell-shocked with just months to go to the next general election." Party sources are quoted as denying Cllr Mitchell's claims.
Editorial writers address many facets of life in Ireland, including politics. The Sligo Champion has this to say: "As the Northern Ireland peace agreement tumbles into yet another phase of uncertainty - has it ever been any different? - the one glaringly obvious conclusion to emerge from the twists and turns of recent weeks and days is that patience with the IRA's continuing fudging of their decommissioning obligation has finally expired.
" While Sinn FΘin can argue until the cows come home about the intransigent Unionists the reality is that time is running out for the Republican movement on this question."
The headline on the piece says: "Time for Sinn FΘin to make choice."
The Munster Express devotes its editorial to what it headlines as a "Sports club crisis". "Clubs in the past have suffered wanton damage to their pitches by lawless people who have no interest in sport in their community. This is a crying shame as these sports clubs do much for community life."
The Meath Chronicle gives its attention to the events in New York and Washington. The headline on the article says: "War on terror can and must be won."
The editorial writer says: "If the international community failed to back the US and Britain it would be failing the ordinary people of Afghanistan and the cause of freedom."
The Longford News has this to say: "These attacks and the threat of future action are ample justification for the current military policy being pursued by the Allies in Afghanistan."