Leaders hit the streets for run-in

Political parties will begin final tours of marginal constituencies today in a bid to muster extra votes ahead of polling on …

Political parties will begin final tours of marginal constituencies today in a bid to muster extra votes ahead of polling on Thursday.

As opinion polls swing dramatically towards Fianna Fáil, Opposition parties will be aiming to hold ground they gradually gained in recent weeks.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour's Pat Rabbitte will come together with their deputy leaders to highlight the vote transfer pact between the parties.

Mr Kenny will later visit the Dublin South, South West & West constituencies before travelling on to Wexford.

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Mr Rabbitte will be campaigning in Clonakilty and Dunmanway in Co Cork with candidate Senator Michael McCarthy.

Finance Minister Brian Cowen and Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin will host a news conference on the economy.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will be canvassing in three north-western constituencies with walkabouts planned in Sligo town, Letterkenny, Cavan town, Monaghan town and Carrick-on-Shannon.

The Progressive Democrats will hold a news briefing to focus on the party's policies to provide better healthcare for patients.

Elsewhere, Green TDs Eamon Ryan and Ciaran Cuffe will be highlighting climate change, and leader Trevor Sargent will be campaigning in Galway and Mullingar.

Sinn Féin chairwoman Mary Lou McDonald will set out the party's policies on neutrality and international affairs.