Betting: If the bookmakers are right, Mrs McAleese is already a shoo-in to retain the presidency. Ladbrokes are quoting odds of 1/20 for her to be the next President, Paddy Power 1/33 and Boylesports an even meaner 1/44.
Mr Eamon Ryan has attracted up to €100 in bets with Paddy Power, now quoting him at 14/1. Boylesports are offering a more generous 16/1 on the Green Party TD, while Ladbrokes are giving the best odds on Dana, 40/1.
"It looks like a two-horse race," said a spokesman for Paddy Power, which is quoting 4/1 on Dana to get onto the ballot paper.