New Constituency
Progressive Democrat leader, Tánaiste Mary Harney, and Fine Gael's Austin Currie are the two big names in Dublin Mid-West, the State's only new constituency.
Currie's Dáil career is in question unless vote management with running-mate Therese Ridge operates effectively and puts him in line for the third seat. Harney should perform well, though survival in three-seaters can be tricky for a small party. The Greens' candidate, Cllr Paul Gogarty, should do well in his Lucan base, though securing support elsewhere is questionable. Transfers from FF's second candidate, Des Kelly, should elect expected poll-topper John Curran. Labour's Joanna Tuffy will need a strong first-preference vote to stay in the fight with Currie and Gogarty for the last seat.
