Former Fianna Fáil TD Beverley Flynn looks set to retain her Dáil seat in County Mayo, according to the latest constituency opinion poll.
Ms Flynn - who was expelled from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party in 2004 after losing a libel action over allegations that she had encouraged tax evasion while an employee of National Irish Bank - was forecast to be returned behind Westport-based Fine Gael TD Michael Ring and his party leader Enda Kenny.
The poll, conducted by the Red C Research group, suggests Ms Flynn will take 11 per cent of the first preference votes and will benefit from transfers from both Mr Ring and Mr Kenny.
The poll also shows that Independent TD Dr Jerry Cowley may struggle to retain his seat in the face of a strong challenge from Fianna Fáil candidate Dara Calleary.