Looking for votes on the doorsteps of Dublin 4 is like selling Christmas wrapping paper in July, Labour TD Ruairí Quinn said today.
Mr Quinn, who first ran for the Dail in 1973, will be hoping to be re-elected in one of the most competitive and successful constituencies in the country.
Labour's Ruairí Quinn
Mr Quinn said: "Election campaigns used to be a four-week sprint, now they're a year-long marathon. You really have to pace yourself. It's rough, tough and you have to knock on a lot of doors.
"Going around to doorsteps now is like trying to sell Christmas wrapping paper in July."
In recent days TDs and candidates in the constituency have been embroiled in a row over a proposed incinerator at Poolbeg.
The former Labour leader has co-written a short political history of the Dublin South East constituency, which spans Dublin 2 and Dublin 4, most of Dublin 6 and half of Dublin 8.
Over the years Dublin South East has yielded three presidents, two Taoisigh, three Tánaiste, two finance ministers and four party leaders.
President Mary McAleese and her predecessor, Mary Robinson, also ran unsuccessfully as Dáil candidates.
PA