The Taoiseach and the leader of Fine Gael converged on Limerick yesterday, each with a small army of by-election campaigners, and headed out on almost parallel byelection trails, indicating the writs may be moved within days.
Mr Ahern began by officially opening a laboratory at the newly designated Limerick Institute of Technology. Asked about the election date, he said: "Early in April - just before Easter."
When told the leader of the Labour Party, Mr Ruairi Quinn, on his visit said that it would be March 12th or 13th, the Taoiseach replied: "I would not have objected to February, but all the vibes coming back to me are that they are looking at late March or early April."
Mr Bruton, after officially opening the Fine Gael headquarters on O'Connell Street, was more emphatic that the date would be March 12th or more likely Friday 13th "when the third-level students would be back home".
The writ would probably be moved next week to allow for a four-week campaign, but it was a matter for the Labour Party.
Mr Michael Noonan, the former health minister, who was at his side, was equally firm that it would be Friday 13th "after a short, sharp campaign".
Both leaders were confident that their respective candidates would win the Labour seat left vacant by the death of Jim Kemmy.
Earlier, Mr J.P. McDonagh, director of the Limerick Institute of Technology, presented the Taoiseach with a 1930 drawing of St Patrick's Primary School, Drumcondra Road, Dublin, where, he said, they both went to school.