Fianna Fáil's general election advertisement campaign will get under way the week after the party's ardfheis at the end of March, with the launch of a high-powered billboard blitz.
The party has also signed a short-term lease on Treasury Buildings in Grand Canal Street in Dublin to serve as its election headquarters. It used the building as its election headquarters for the 2002 election.
The Fianna Fáil national executive was given an update on its plans and strategy to fight the general election at its monthly meeting in Dublin on Wednesday.
The constituencies committee, chaired by Minister for Finance Brian Cowen, was briefed on candidate ratifications in various constituencies.
It decided that three candidates would contest the election in the Taoiseach's four-seat constituency of Dublin Central. The candidates will be Mr Ahern, Senator Cyprian Brady and councillor Mary Fitzpatrick, daughter of outgoing TD Dr Dermot Fitzpatrick.
It is understood that the committee initially favoured removing Mr Brady from the ticket to maximise the chance of retaining two seats in Dublin Central. However, his supporters argued he is slightly ahead of Ms Fitzpatrick in local opinion polls and deserved to stay on the ticket.
It was also confirmed that former minister Dr Michael Woods and outgoing TD Martin Brady have been selected to run in Dublin North East.
The decision put an end to speculation surrounding Dr Woods's intentions. Senator Liam Fitzgerald, who at one time held a seat in the three-seater, had hoped he would be selected.
The candidature of councillor Norma Foley, daughter of former TD Denis Foley, in Kerry North has also been confirmed.
However, the executive failed to ratify the candidature of councillor Mattie McGrath in Tipperary South. He recently appeared in Clonmel District Court on a charge of public order offences.
He and six other people were charged following an incident in Newcastle, near Clonmel, at 12.30am on August 14th last year. It is understood that discussions between Mr McGrath's solicitors and Fianna Fáil are ongoing.
After his court appearance, Mr McGrath dismissed speculation he would contest the general election as an Independent if he was dropped by the party. He said he was innocent until proven guilty and looked forward to vindicating his name. He is due to appear in court again on May 8th.
Mr McGrath (49) topped the poll at the Fianna Fáil selection convention for Tipperary South, ahead of Senator Martin Mansergh and councillor Siobhán Ambrose last December. All three were selected to run in the three-seat constituency.
Fianna Fáil has still not announced a candidate for the five-seat Cavan-Monaghan constituency. It is understood the party will announce next week that one of its local councillors will take the nomination after Independent TD Paudge Connolly ruled out joining the party. Senior counsel Hugh Mohan also recently ruled out running.