This latest outcome contrasts sharply with Sinn Fein's performance at the last election which delivered a doubling of the party's national vote and the addition of four new Dail deputies to the single seat won back in 1997.

There will be no repeat of those successes if today's opinion poll results are borne out on polling day.

With the IRA decommissioned and the peace process far more low-key, it would seem that Sinn Fein is finding it hard to adapt to being a normal political party. There is still strong resistance to the party from female voters, with 6% support levels from women against 11% from men. The party is running at 9% in Dublin which will be a worry. A sluggish outcome in the capital will place in doubt Sinn Fein's ability to deliver many of its target seats, including Mary Lou McDonald in Dublin Central.

Sinn Fein has been defined by the energy and enthusiasm of its candidates and supporters. The commitment of these people will, however, be in vain if the next election brings a relatively unchanged national performance from Gerry Adams's party.