Opposition parties today dismissed recent polls suggesting Fianna Fáil could be on course for an overall majority at the General Election.
Fine Gael's Ms Nora Owen insisted the results of the polls were not in accord with their findings on the doorsteps during canvassing.
While Labour's Mr Pat Rabbitte said: "We don't believe Fianna Fáil will get the majority. For any party to do that would be dangerous.
"The people don't want to give unfettered power. Fianna Fáil in government need an escort," Mr Rabbitte said.
Attorney General and Progressive Democrat candidate, Mr Michael McDowell, put up posters against one-party rule in his Dublin South East constituency.
The comments come in the wake of a second opinion poll in 24 hours indicating that Fianna Fáil could be on course for an overall majority at the General Election.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, could be the first Fianna Fáil leader to win outright in 20 years.
Irish Marketing Survey figures for the Irish Independent showed Fianna Fáil with 48 per cent of backing with the electorate, after exclusion of the Don’t Know option.
This may be enough to secure more than half the 166 seats in the Dáil in the May 17th election.
The poll showed Fine Gael on 21 per cent, Labour on 11 per cent, the Greens and Sinn Féin both on 4 per cent, the Progressive Democrats on 3 per cent and independents on 9 per cent.
Yesterday, a Marketing Research Bureau of Ireland poll for The Irish Times, also put Fianna Fáil well ahead - and in sight of a possible majority.
On the leadership personal popularity front, Mr Ahern emerged from the Irish Independent poll with a rating of 67 per cent, Fine Gael’s Michael Noonan had 30 per cent, the Progressive Democrats’ Mary Harney 57 per cent and Labour’s Ruairí Quinn 48 per cent.