1997: FF 29.87%; FG 19.71%; Labour 13.8%; PD 3.3%; GP 2.48%; DL 9.99%; Others 20.84%.Outgoing TDs: Joe Jacob and Dick Roche (FF), Billy Timmins (FG), Liz McManus (Lab), Mildred Fox (Ind).
Labour's Nicky Kelly could take the seat occupied for just one term by Fine Gael's Billy Timmins, but he will need to improve substantially on the 5,000 first preferences he won in 1997 to do so. The Labour ticket is geographically well balanced, with Kelly's high-profile running-mate, outgoing TD Liz McManus, contesting out of Bray. Given the strong showings expected from the Green candidate, Deirdre de Burca, and Sinn's Féin Mairead Keane, Kelly should have sources for transfers in later counts - in sharp contrast to the last time. De Burca, however, could play more than a supporting role in the battle for the last seat. Fianna Fáil hopes to hold its two seats, held by Dick Roche and Joe Jacob, though the latter's ill-fated Marian Finucane interview may hurt his chances.
Outgoing Independent TD Mildred Fox's move into Bray in the 1999 local elections will help to buttress her position, so early tallies from the county's northern end will be worth analysing. Fox's first preferences will reveal whether she and, indeed, the other Independents who supported the Government loyally over the past five years are rewarded.