Even at the publication of a guidebook for the general election, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was giving nothing away regarding the date.
Guests at the Royal Irish Academy, who hailed from the worlds of politics, the diplomatic corps and the media, were no wiser at the end of his speech than at the start.
Paying tribute to Noel Whelan, Irish Times columnist and author of The Tallyman's Campaign Handbook: Election 2007 (published by New Island), the Taoiseach added a cautionary note: "When making predictions, pundits and politicians alike are right to be very mindful of unexpected events - or to borrow a phrase from the other side of the Atlantic - unknown unknowns."
Expressing concern about the decline in the numbers of those who take part in "politics on the ground", the Taoiseach added: "On a personal level, I can tell you that working in elections can be very exciting and very rewarding."
Encouraging people to get out and canvass for their preferred party or candidate, he said: "I can guarantee them that it will be a rewarding experience both for themselves and Irish communities in general."
At some unspecified date in the near future, the people would make their choice: "Time and again, the Irish electorate have shown themselves to be very sophisticated and sensible when it comes to how they vote.
"This summer, I have no doubt that they will return a government which they think can best lead the country for the next five years." But in the meantime, everyone must wait for Bertie to name the day.
