Rumours of summer election rife
The Taoiseach may be insisting that we are still more than 12 months away from going to the polls but opposition workers at Leinster House have been told there will be no leave in May or June this summer.
Bertie Ahern would favour the warm season to suit his traditional 'press the flesh' campaigning style and, with many of the budget benefits kicking in during April and May, it seems likely the Government will announce a summer election.
In response, Fine Gael is cancelling the holidays of party workers and officials during the summer months, Labour says three-quarters of its candidates are already picked out and the Greens too are ready for an election.
Fianna Fail officials laugh at the suggestion of an election this year but admit most of their candidates have been picked too.
There could be be one spanner in the works though. Mr Ahern is unlikely to go to the polls while the teachers' strike continues and a threat hangs over the summer's state exams.
