As the South Tipperary by-election campaign enters its final week, canvassing has intensified in a battle that will be seen as the first judgment of Mr Michael Noonan's leadership of Fine Gael. The poll takes place on Saturday.
The outcome of the Nice Treaty referendum has shattered the confidence of the major parties in predicting the outcome of the election. All are concerned about the potential impact of the independent candidate, Ms Phil Prendergast. A TG4 poll this week is expected to indicate the standing of the candidates.
However, a Fianna Fail spokesman expressed confidence that its candidate, Cllr Michael Maguire, will get enough votes to win the seat.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, canvassed in Clonmel before travelling to New York last night and announced 125 new jobs at Flancare, a distribution business. Fianna Fail had about 800 people "on the ground" over the weekend, according to the spokesman. Almost the entire Cabinet and the Fine Gael front bench have canvassed in South Tipperary. All parties, including Labour whose candidate is Mr Denis Landy, will be out again this week.
The Fine Gael leader said the campaign would be a "referendum on health". The Government has announced a number of initiatives including a 15-bed temporary paediatric unit for St Joseph's hospital in Clonmel. "Vote buying" allegations are dismissed by the Fianna Fail spokesman, who said the health proposals were in the Programme for Government and were imminent when the writ was announced.
Fine Gael's candidate, Senator Tom Hayes, is the front-runner in the election, which was called because of the death last September of the sitting Fine Gael TD, Ms Theresa Ahearn.
The party's director of elections, Mr Charlie Flanagan, said this was an extra "burden" but they were "in good shape for the final hurdle".
