Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is the odds-on favourite to win the election and be returned as head of Government for a third term, according to Paddy Power bookmakers.
A smiling Bertie Ahern arrived amid a flurry of photographers and onlookers at the bookmakers on Baggot Street today to put a €1,000 bet on himself to win the general election at odds of 8/11.
With sunshine pouring down on his first official day of electioneering ahead of the May 24th vote, a cheerful Mr Ahern greeted representatives of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind charity, to whom he will donate his winnings if re-elected.
Paddy Power made Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny even money to beat Mr Ahern to become leader of the 30th Dáil.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte is priced at 6/1 to become the next Tánaiste while Green Party leader Trevor Sargent represents value for money at 10/1 to be next deputy head of Government.
The odds on a Fine Gael, Labour and Green coalition has come in to 5/4 and now leads the market, compared to a continued Fianna Fáil, Progressive Democrats return to Government which is on the drift at 7/1.