1997: FF 32.44 %; FG 37.19%; Lab 4.22%; PDs 4.18%; Others 21.96%. Outgoing TDs: Michael Collins (FF), Michael Finucane and Dan Neville (FG).
Fianna Fáil will have to gain here if the polls are to stand up. The party's miserable 32.4% result in 1997 represented a dramatic slide in fortunes. If FF's Senator John Cregan polls about 5,500 first preferences, then the second FG deputy, Michael Finucane, could suffer. However, watch out for signs of weak vote management between Senator Cregan and outgoing FF TD Michael Collins - brother of the former Foreign Affairs Minister and MEP, Gerry Collins. If they fail to combine properly, Finucane and Dan Neville (above) could be safe.
