Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are likely to dominate the by-election for the seat held for 35 years by Mr John Bruton.
Sensitive environmental questions will be raised during the campaign. These centre on controversial plans for an incinerator at Carranstown, near Duleek, and the M3 motorway project, through the Tara archaeological complex.
Fianna Fáil holds three of the five seats in the county and took almost 45 per cent of the first preference vote in 2002.
What started out as a well-planned Fianna Fáil campaign quickly ran into trouble when the party's candidate, Cllr Tommy Reilly, withdrew after details of his business relationship with Frank Dunlop became public.
Long established in Meath local politics, Mr Reilly would have been hard to beat. He was replaced by Cllr Shane Cassells, a nephew of the Labour Party figure and former ICTU head, Mr Peter Cassells.
Fine Gael is determined not to allow the seat of its former leader slip from its grasp. The party was also early into the field with its candidate, Mr Shane McEntee.
Compared with the stronghold of Mr Willie Penrose TD in Westmeath, Labour has a weak organisation in Meath. The party's candidate, Mr Dominic Hannigan, was elected as an independent councillor in the local poll last June before joining Labour. The Greens have only one council seat in Meath and the PDs have none.
By contrast, Sinn Féin's candidate, Mr Joe Reilly, is long established. While Mr Reilly took 9.43 per cent of the first-preference vote in 2002 and remained in the race until the ninth count, he may have difficulty garnering transfers in the by-election.
In common with other fast-growing constituencies on the periphery of Dublin, issues such as schooling, childcare, policing and transport will be high on the agenda during the campaign.
According to a poll for Meath Chambers of Commerce, some 80 per cent of voters in the constituency are in favour of the M3 motorway linking Clonee to Kells. While conservationists are set against the plan.
The plan for an incinerator at Carranstown is equally controversial. An Environmental Protection Agency oral hearing on the initiative will begin on March 7th.
DECLARED CANDIDATES
Sirena Campbell, PDs
Shane Cassells, Fianna Fáil
Dominic Hannigan, Labour
Shane McEntee, Fine Gael
Fergal O'Byrne, Green
Joe Reilly, Sinn Féin
