Fine Gael opinion polls suggesting the three main parties will take all five seats in the Wexford constituency in the general election have been strongly disputed by Sinn Féin.
The party claimed yesterday that its poll, taken two weeks ago, showed that its candidate, Cllr John Dwyer, was placed to take 12 per cent of the first preference vote.
Fine Gael polls, it is understood, put Mr Dwyer on around 5 per cent and not in the reckoning. The party acknowledged last week that one of its two seats was in danger and, in response, announced that Ms Avril Doyle MEP would replace Mr Eddie O'Reilly on the party ticket.
Fine Gael sources said if the party was to lose a seat the beneficiary would be Fianna Fáil, leaving the constituency with three Fianna Fáil, one Fine Gael and one Labour TD. The return of Ms Doyle had staved off that possibility, they claimed.
Sinn Féin said yesterday that its poll, conducted in all the major towns in the county, had left it in no doubt it would take a seat. It said Fianna Fáil TD Mr John Browne topped the poll, with Labour deputy leader Mr Brendan Howlin in second place. Mr Dwyer was joint third with Fianna Fáil Minister of State Mr Hugh Byrne, slightly ahead of Fine Gael TD Mr Michael D'Arcy.
Fine Gael, it claimed, would be in a scramble for the final seat with Fianna Fáil's Mr Tony Dempsey. Fine Gael's polls suggest that Mr Dempsey, the Wexford hurling manager, is doing particularly well in the campaign and is currently the leading Fianna Fáil candidate.
Fine Gael councillor Mr Paul Keogh is also contesting the election. An independent candidate, Rosslare-based GP Dr Liam Twomey, intends to highlight deficiencies in the health service. He has the backing of the anti-incineration Research and Information Group.