The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will make history today for leading the longest-serving government in this State. His Government is 1,666 days in office.
This record is surpassed only by the Fianna Fáil government that held office for the full five-year term from June 30th, 1938 to July 1st, 1943 during the second World War.
That government availed of emergency powers to run beyond the five-year constitutional term.
The Dáil served for five years and five days and the 1943 election was held without its dissolution.
Outside of war time, Eamon de Valera's second administra tion held the honour of being the longest-serving government under one Taoiseach in the State's history.
It was formed on February 8th, 1933 and remained in office until July 21st, 1937, a total of 1,623 days.
On December 7th last, the minority Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats coalition, supported by four Independents, was in office for 1,624 days, thereby surpassing the record of the de Valera government of 1933-37.
However, the government which took office on March 20th, 1957 when Mr de Valera was elected Taoiseach for the last time continued to govern without interruption until October 11th, 1961 - a period of 1,665 days.
But the Taoiseach changed when Sean Lemass took over from de Valera on his election to the Presidency in June 1959.
Artle 28 (11) of the Constitution states that: "If the Taoiseach at any time resigns from office the other members of the Government shall be deemed also to have resigned from office, but the Taoiseach and the other members of the Government shall continue to carry on their duties until their successors shall have been appointed". This period, therefore, could be regarded as having two separate Fianna Fáil administrations.
In order to avoid any doubt, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has told The Irish Times that a milestone will be passed today when it can be declared that the current coalition is the longest-serving administration in the history of the State.
It has reached its 1,666th day in office.
The record will be broken more conclusively by Mr Ahern by the time that he goes to the country in the first two weeks of May.
The election will be held either on a Thursday or a Saturday.
