some established, some aspiring . . . will raise their glasses to the new year in the company of their loved ones and inevitably wonder what 2007 will bring. They should enjoy the next few days' break because come the middle of January, to use PJ Mara's famous line, it's showtime. The countdown will officially begin. Assuming an election in the middle of May, TDs and would-be TDs have just four more months to make their mark to ensure that others will leave their mark beside their names on the ballot paper.

Every general election seems crucial at the time but the coming one seems to have additional importance. Another Fianna Fail success will raise uncomfortable questions about whether we live in a one-party state and re-awaken dormant doubts about Fine Gael's future. The PDs know that staying in government is crucial to their future prosperity while, after 25 years on the margins, it is surely time for the Greens to move centre stage. For Labour's highly able and ambitious 50-somethings, the prospect of another five years on the opposition benches is surely too awful to contemplate. Sinn Fein, as ever, has time on its side . . . but it looks like the party will need it.

With all the parties pausing for breath before the frenzy of the coming months, what better time to assess what is likely to happen come next May? We have analysed each of the 43 constituencies and . . . based on close analysis of local and national opinion polls, studies of recent election data and soundings taken on the ground . . . have made a call on what we believe are the likely results in each of those constituencies.

A number of caveats apply. One is the hazardous nature of calling the fourth or fifth seat under the hugely unpredictable and complicated single transferrable vote electoral system used here.

Secondly, in a number of constituencies, we still do not know the final list of candidates. And finally, the predictions are based on how things stand today . . . four months is a long time in politics and a lot can happen between now and election day.

But there is no doubt that Bertie Ahern is the clear favourite to be Taoiseach come next summer.

The bookies have him at 5-2 on, and our analysis more than backs that up.

Fine Gael strategists, who claim the party can win up to 60 seats, will inevitably disagree with our assessment. They will point to the party's performance in the local and European elections as evidence that it can bridge the enormous gap between it and Fianna Fail and form a government with Labour and the Greens.

(Ignore any talk that Fine Gael and Labour can still do it on their own . . . it is patent nonsense. ) But if anyone was in any doubt about the enormity of their task, the sharp rise in support for Fianna Fail in the wake of the Bertiegate affair would have focused minds.

It is also true that the most recent national opinion poll showed Fine Gael at 27%, but the old adage about the general election being in reality 43 local elections should not be forgotten.

The two things the alternative government have going for them is that, firstly, this time there is an alternative and secondly, the current enormous volatility of the electorate. At the moment everything points to Fianna Fail being returned to government and, based on our analysis below, very possibly with the PDs. But, with the electorate casting a generally jaundiced eye on politics and politicians, that could still change, even if time is running out for that to happen. Fianna Fail was in the doldrums for four years after its stunning 2002 general election and nobody can be certain that the electorate won't turn on it again, particularly if some major issue emerges to damage the government.

We predict a good election for the Greens, but that Sinn Fein's bandwagon will come to a temporary halt (although the party's participation in government north of the border could help boost its popularity before the general election). This is likely to be an election too soon for many of its young candidates. For Labour and PDs we are calling the loss of a seat or two, but for both parties their final seat tallies are less important than whether or not they hold the balance of power when the new Dail sits.

All in all, it promises to be a fascinating few months ahead.

Fianna Fail is in a stronger position than anyone would have envisaged 12 months ago and, with billions being released in SSIA accounts in the weeks before polling day, the election is clearly the government's to lose.

But at least we should be able to look forward to a decent contest come next May.

Carlow-Kilkenny FF got three seats out of four contested in 2002 (Seamus Pattison was re-elected as outgoing ceann comhairle). FF can afford to drop 5% and retain its three seats. FG will need a minimum of 7% improvement to have a chance of a second seat. This will be good test of the FG/Lab pact. They should have two seats between them but it will need a high level of transfers. The only other candidate in genuine contention is the Green party deputy leader Mary White. Should FF drop back to the 42% of 1997 she could be main beneficiary.

Prediction: 2 FF, 2 FG, 1 GP (FG and GP gain at expense of FF and Labour) Cavan-Monaghan Will be contested as four-seat constituency as Rory O'Hanlon (FF) is re-elected as outgoing ceann comhairle. FF, FG and SF are all certain of one seat each. The final seat will be between FF and Independent TD Paudge Connolly. FF have suffered most from the resurgence of SF in the constituency and even with a repeat of its 35% in 2002, it will be touch and go to take a third seat. We believe FF will likely lose out to Connolly, particularly as the hospital issue is still very relevant. Connolly will also benefit from anti-government transfers.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG, 1 SF and 1 Independent (No change) Clare The retirement of Sile de Valera mitigates against FF winning three seats unless it recoups a lot of the vote lost to Independent TD James Breen in 2002. The bizarre decision by FG to run four candidates smacks of desperation and will likely leave it with just the one seat.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG and 1 Independent (No change) Cork East FG lost a seat to Joe Sherlock of Labour in 2002 but his retirement gives the party a realistic chance of reclaiming it despite Sherlock's son Sean replacing him on the Labour ticket.

Unless there is dramatic fall in FF vote the government will retain its two seats.

Prediction: 2 FF, 2 FG (FG gain from Lab) Cork North-Central The constituency is reduced from a five- to a four-seat, making forecasts fairly straightforward. FF will lose one of its three seats and FG and Labour will retain theirs.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG and 1 Lab (FF loss to boundary change) Cork North-West The redrawing of the constituency boundary and particularly the inward transfer of Ballincollig has resulted in three sitting FF TDs contesting three seats. Batt O'Keefe's decision to stick with his Ballincollig base may give him the edge over one of the Moynihans.

Although FG won two seats here at every election prior to 1997, the competitiveness of the FF battle negates its chances of returning to that situation.

Prediction: 2 FF and 1 FG (No change) Cork South-Central The transfer of Ballincollig to Cork NorthWest will put pressure on FF to retain its three seats. However, even allowing for this, FG needs to increase its share of the vote by 10% to regain the seat lost in 2002. Effectively it will need the lion's share of Kathy Sinnott's 2002 vote. FF will have no difficulty taking two seats and FG is guaranteed one. Dan Boyle is likely to retain the Greens' seat. The last seat will be a battle between the two largest parties and determined by the transfers of Labour and the PDs. Hard to call but Fine Gael need this one badly.

Prediction: 2 FF, 2 FG and 1 GP (FG gain from FF) Cork South-West The retirement of Joe Walsh will almost certainly eliminate the likelihood of FF retaining the second seat that it won in 2002. That was the only time since this became a three-seat constituency in 1948 that it held two seats. If FG can't win two seats here it is facing as great an electoral disaster as it had last time out.

Prediction: 1 FF and 2 FG (FG gain from FF) Donegal North-East Now that all three sitting TDs are running for FF, all the elements for a bitter campaign are in place. Crucial to the final outcome is how much of Blaney's Independent FF vote doesn't transfer allegiance to FF. Even a 4% drop will ensure that one of the outgoing members loses their seat. On the face of it, Sinn Fein seems most likely to benefit, but the possibility of FG regaining the seat that it held at every election prior to 1997 should not be discounted. However, the decision of Jimmy Harte to run as an independent against his former party damages FG's chances.

Prediction: 2 FF and 1 SF (SF gain from Independent FF) Donegal South-West FG has never failed to win a seat in this constituency and actually increased its share of the vote amid the national carnage of 2002.

However, the retirement of Dinny McGinley could pose difficulties and many are predicting FG will lose out here. SF's Pearse Doherty has a serious chance, but it will require a doubling of his vote. The two very experienced FF candidates may just hold on, as may FG.

Prediction: 2 FF and 1 FG (No Change) Dublin Central Bertie Ahern to top the poll is the easiest prediction to make. Less clear is whether he brings in a running mate in arguably the most competitive contest in the election. In the last two elections, over 40% of Ahern's surplus has left FF. With FF having three candidates it increases the risk of only one seat. Tony Gregory is almost an institution and regularly gets 20% of the Taoiseach's surplus. He should be safe. Joe Costello will be under severe threat from both SF and the Greens which are both running high-profile candidates. It will be extremely tight for the last seat.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 SF and 1 Independent (SF gain from Lab) Dublin Mid-West Has gained a seat since 2002 because of its massive population increase. The three sitting TDs should retain their seats and the extra seat will be hotly contested by Labour, FG, FF, Sinn Fein and a strong independent candidate in Derek Keating. However, Joanna Tuffy has been close on a few occasions and her experience may just be the telling factor.

Prediction: 1 FF, 1 PD, 1 Lab and 1 GP (Labour gain extra seat) Dublin North Only one sitting TD, Trevor Sargent, is running this time and he should retain his seat.

FF will certainly get one seat and will strongly contend for a second seat. Labour will hope to keep its seat, but will come under pressure from Clare Daly of the Socialist Party. FG needs to win back a seat to have a realistic hope of being in government. However, unless there is drastic improvement in the combined 26% of FG and Labour in 2002, there is only one seat between them.

Prediction: 1 FF, 1 FG, 1 GP and 1 SP (FG and SP gain from FF and Labour) Dublin North-Central Lost a seat after boundary review. Very competitive, with four outgoing TDs and a senator competing for three seats. There will be no love lost in the battle between Ivor Callely and Sean Haughey, especially now that Haughey is the junior minister in the constituency. However, this may actually help FF retain two seats, particularly if it gets close to the 50% of 2002. Richard Bruton should hold on at the expense of Finian McGrath . . . his only worry is if Labour's Derek McDowell is ahead of McGrath.

Prediction: 2 FF and 1 FG (Independent loss on boundary change) Dublin North-East The outcome very much depends on whether Michael Woods runs. If he doesn't, FF will struggle to reach the 40% of 2002, especially as a surge in support for SF will also damage its vote. Labour should be safe and FG might just sneak through, although it could well be Terence Flanagan rather than Brody Sweeney.

Prediction: 1 FF, 1 FG and 1 Lab (FG gain from FF) Dublin North-West If SF can find an extra thousand votes, it will win a seat. Both Pat Carey and Roisin Shortall are vulnerable in this scenario, but there is a belief within the constituency that SF will again come up short.

Prediction: 2 FF and 1 Lab (No change) Dublin South FF should retain both of its seats and FG will keep the one it holds. The question to be answered is can FG, with the help of Labour transfers, take a second seat at the expense of either Liz O'Donnell or Eamon Ryan. Recent opinion polls suggest that FG's share of the vote in Dublin will be insufficient to get that seat.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG, 1 PD and 1 GP (No change) Dublin South-Central The decision of Gay Mitchell to choose Europe over the Dail has significance beyond the confines of this constituency. If FG was to come to power, he would have been a senior minister and his decision suggests that he does not think that it is likely FG will be in government.

There is also a real danger that FG could lose his seat as a considerable portion of his vote was a personal one. The other sitting TDs should be safe, but Labour may edge FG and take a second seat.

Prediction: 2 FF, 2 Lab and 1 SF (Lab gain from FG) Dublin South-East This may well be one of the least exciting contests at the election. There is no evidence that FG is making any inroads to regaining a seat and it is likely that there will be no change apart from a FF change of personnel.

Prediction: 1 FF, 1 Lab, 1 PD and 1 GP (No change) Dublin South-West FF, Labour and SF will each take a seat. The question is whether Brian Hayes can win back his seat at the expense of FF. While there is no question about his hard work, he will struggle against two good constituency operators in Conor Lenihan and Charlie O'Connor.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 Lab and 1 SF (No change) Dublin West FF is sure of a seat and it is unlikely that Joe Higgins will shed enough votes to jeopardise his seat. The last seat will be between Joan Burton and one of the big winners in the 2004 local elections . . . Leo Varadkar of FG. The decision of Tom Morrissey to switch constituencies has left some 3,000 PD votes up for grabs, and this could be decisive despite Burton's experience and high profile.

Prediction: 1 FF, 1 FG and 1 SP (FG gain from Lab) Dun Laoghaire It is inconceivable that FG could do as badly here as in 2002. Failure to win a seat here and the party is in meltdown. FF is likely to retain its two seats and it is difficult to see Eamon Gilmore being in danger. Therefore FG will have to gain from either PDs or Greens. It will be a tight call and it would be unwise to write off Fiona O'Malley, but Ciaran Cuffe could just edge it on the back of Labour transfers.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG, 1 Lab and 1 GP (FG gain from PD) Galway East The question is: can FG get back most of its vote that cost it a seat to Paddy McHugh in 2002? It would take a turnaround, not indicated in the opinion polls, to achieve this and indeed FF will harbour hopes of three seats.

Despite this, the most likely outcome is no change.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG and 1 Independent (No change) Galway West FF will comfortably keep its two seats. FG has no real prospect of more than one and indeed brought back Padraic McCormack to ensure that it wins one. The main challenge to either Michael D Higgins or Noel Grealish appears to come from the Greens or possibly Fianna Fail's Michael Crowe . . . who could be a dark horse. However, it looks a big ask for FF to win three here, while the Green's Niall O Brolchain did nothing special in the 2004 local elections and the PDs had their best 2004 result here.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG, 1 Lab and 1 PD (No change) Kerry North None of the three TDs here will be feeling safe and it really is any three from four. Labour is now gunning for its seat back with Terry O'Brien . . . who local polls suggest is on course for the Dail. 2002 suggests that when push comes to shove, it would be unwise not to believe there is a FF seat (although a change in personnel can't be entirely discounted).

Fine Gael is banking on Jimmy Deenihan holding on and he should do that. There is a belief in Kerry that Sinn Fein's Martin Ferris could be vulnerable. We think a surprise may be in the offing.

Prediction: 1 FF, 1 FG, 1 Labour (Labour gain, SF loss) Kerry South Labour was staring into the abyss here until Breda Moynihan-Cronin reversed her decision to retire. She should now hold the seat there. John O'Donoghue will top the poll. FF and FG will be targeting the seat held by Jackie Healy Rae. The latter hasn't been nearly as influential in the current Dail as between 1997 and 2002, but he may just hang on.

Prediction: 1 FF, 1 Labour, 1 Independent (No change) Kildare North The only constituency in the country without a FF TD following Charlie McCreevy's move to Brussels and the party's disappointing defeat in the ensuing by-election. That will be put right next May but the strength of Independent Catherine Murphy . . . who won that by-election . . . means it is unlikely there will be a second seat for FF in what is now a fourseater.

Prediction: 1 FF, 1 FG, 1 Labour, 1 Independent (Independent gains the additional seat on offer) Kildare South FF pulled off a coup here in 2002 with Sean O Fearghail taking a second seat at the expense of FG heavyweight Alan Dukes. FG has put its faith in Alan Gillis to win the seat back. He certainly has a chance, particularly if FG is having a good day nationally, but the Sean Power/O Fearghail FF ticket looks too strong.

Labour's Jack Wall should be okay.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 Labour (No change) Laois-Offaly A massively important constituency for FG. If it wants to be back in government, this is a must-win for the party. The three FF seats look rock solid and Brian Cowen will top the poll. There is definitely one FG seat . . . either Olwyn Enright or Charlie Flanagan . . . but the party will have to unseat Tom Parlon to land a second seat. It's looks 50-50 at the moment, with the incumbent holding the slight edge.

Prediction: 3 FF, 1 FG and 1 PD (No change) Limerick East The only question here is can Fine Gael's Kieran O'Donnell take out PD junior minister Tim O'Malley. FF's two seats are rock solid (Willie O'Dea will top the poll with a huge vote) as are Michael Noonan and Jan O'Sullivan. FG has high hopes of a gain, but it is 25 years since the party had two seats here. If the party is looking for omens it was a Noonan/O'Donnell . . .

Kieran's uncle, Tom O'Donnell . . . ticket that won those two seats. But the odds here favour the PDs, which has held at least one seat here since its first election in 1987.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG, 1 Labour, 1 PD (No change) Limerick West Always a FF heartland until a split in the party allowed FG to win two out of three in 1997. FF reversed the result last time around but with former FF senator Michael Brennan likely to poll very well for the PDs, FG has a chance of slipping in to win a second here again.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG (No change) Longford-Westmeath A new constituency and a real dog-fight, with six Oireachtas members going for the four seats. FF's Peter Kelly in Longford and Labour's Willie Penrose in Westmeath look the best bets. FG's chance of two seats went with the decision of Paul McGrath not to run but it will definitely have one TD. However, the PDs' Mae Sexton is facing huge odds to retain her seat. FF should take the final seat on offer.

The redrawing hasn't been kind to Donie Cassidy, so Mary O'Rourke should return to the Dail.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG, 1 Labour (new constituency but PD loss) Louth The big question is whether MEP Mairead McGuinness will run for FG. But even if she does, it is impossible to imagine Fianna Fail not winning two seats in a constituency where its vote is always well north of 40%. Sinn Fein's Arthur Morgan looks safe. Louth has been largely averse to change over the past 20 years . . . aside from Morgan taking Labour's seat last time . . . and it is likely to stay that way.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG, 1 SF (No change).

Mayo Probably the toughest constituency in the country to call, but FG's chance of repeating its 1997 feat of winning three seats has been seriously boosted by John O'Mahony's decision to take the Mayo football job. There will certainly be one FF seat . . . Ballina-based newcomer Dara Calleary is apparently going well, while independent TDs Jerry Cowley and Beverley Flynn will be there or thereabouts, although the latter has to be hit by Enda Kenny's likely dominance of the Castlebar votes.

Prediction: Impossible to call but the best guess is 3 FG, 1 FF and 1 Independent (FG gain, FF loss) Meath East Labour's main hope for a gain comes in this new constituency. FF minister Mary Wallace and FG's by-election winner Shane McEntee look safe. A second FF seat is by no means out of the question, but Dominic Hannigan might just make it for Labour.

Prediction: 1 FF, 1 FG, 1 Labour (new constituency but Labour gain) Meath West Star footballer Graham Geraghty's entry into the fray for Fine Gael has shaken up what looked like a straightforward two seats for Fianna Fail. But despite Geraghty's prowess on the field, he will be trying to break up one of the best FF tickets in the country in Noel Dempsey and Johnny Brady in what is a rocksolid FF constituency. Hard to see a second FG seat here. SF's chance of a gain here went with the division of Meath into two separate constituencies.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG (new constituency, but effectively no change) Roscommon-Leitrim South A new three-seat constituency, but it's hard to look past the three existing TDs, John Ellis and Michael Finneran of FF and Denis Naughten of FG. On a good day for FG, Boyle-based Frank Feighan has a chance of pulling off a surprise.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG (new constituency but effectively no change) Sligo-Leitrim North Another new three-seat constituency and again the two existing TDs . . . FF's Jimmy Devins and FG's John Perry . . . look like bankers. Independent TD Marian Harkin's decision not to run has left the third seat open.

FG's Michael Comiskey has Leitrim North to himself but those votes alone won't be enough to get him elected. FG's chances could be damaged by the decision to run three candidates and FF's Eamon Scanlon looks the favourite for the final seat. FG simply have to win this one if they want to be back in government, but it looks like FF.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG (new constituency but Independent loss) Tipperary North Perhaps the ultimate bellwether constituency and one to watch closely on the day of the count. FG has high hopes of a seat gain here but it promises to be a dogfight for the final seat. FF's Maire Hoctor is expected to top the poll, followed by independent Michael Lowry . . .

although neither are likely to reach the quota.

Transfers from Sinn Fein's Seamus Morris should elect Hoctor . . . both are based in Nenagh. Meanwhile, Thurles-based independent councillor Jim Ryan . . . recently of FF . . .

should transfer well to Lowry getting him over the line. Then it's between FF's Michael Smith, FG's Noel Coonan and Labour's Kathleen O'Meara for the third seat. All will depend on whether Coonan or O'Meara is ahead in the closing stages (there was just 200 votes between them last time). If O'Meara is ahead . . .

a possibility rather than a probability . . . and Coonan is eliminated, he will transfer heavily to Labour, probably electing O'Meara in the process. However, there are serious doubts locally as to whether, if the roles are reversed, Labour voters will transfer as well to FG (last time almost as many transferred to FF). It would also be folly to write off Smith. He is the ultimate survivor and he is working the constituency like never before. The Rainbow needs to make a gain here but at the moment it's too tight to call. It's hard to see what would effectively be two FG seats (it has never happened in the constituency) and there must be doubts as to whether O'Meara will be ahead of Coonan. Smith just might pull it off again.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 Independent (No change) Tipperary South One certain FF seat, despite the retirement of Noel Davern (all three of its candidates have a shout). FG's Tom Hayes should be safe but might be affected if councillor Michael Fitzgerald, who recently lost the FG whip after controversial remarks on drink driving, enters the field as an independent as is being speculated. The big question though is can Labour regain the seat it lost to Independent Seamus Healy in a 2000 by-election? To add spice to the ingredients, Labour's candidate, Phil Prendergast, was formerly part of Healy's Workers' Unemployed Action Group. Prendergast is a good candidate who polled very well in the 2001 by-election. But if Healy is to be defeated, Prendergast will have to score heavily in Carrick-on-Suir . . . home base of Denis Landy, Labour's candidate in the last general election. The sitting TD is also likely get transfers from the three FF candidates.

Healy to hold on.

Prediction: 1 FF, 1 FG, 1 Independent (no change) Waterford This one looks a bit on the dull side . . . it's hard to see any change in the party make-up. Sinn Fein is talking up David Cullinane but, based on the party's current poll rating, he won't win a seat. FG is running three candidates here in the hope of taking a second but you have to go back to the halcyon days of Garret the Good in 1982 for the last time FG took two here.

Labour's Brian O'Shea should be okay.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG, 1 Labour (no change) Wexford There was a major shock here last time when Independent Liam Twomey won a seat.

Twomey has since joined FG and the party will certainly hold its two seats, although Twomey himself may be vulnerable to Michael D'Arcy. Labour's Brendan Howlin will be fine.

Despite reservations about FF's ticket with the retirement of Tony Dempsey, with 40% of the vote last time around there should be two seats for FF here . . . with John Browne and Sean Connick the front runners. Despite his disappointing performance in a recent TG4 opinion poll, high-profile PD candidate Colm O'Gorman shouldn't be ruled out. Nor should Sinn Fein's John Dwyer. He will definitely poll well, but lack of transfers is likely to tell against him in the end.

Prediction: 2 FF, 2 FG, 1 Labour (Independent loss, FG gain) Wicklow If the Greens are going to advance in this election, they have to win a seat here with Deirdre de Burca. Problems with the other parties and the retirement of Mildred Fox mean they have a very good chance of doing so. Dick Roche, Liz McManus and Billy Timmins are safe but after that it's pretty open.

FF should have a second seat but particularly now it has finally selected its candidates.

Labour's Nicky Kelly came so close last time around but he doesn't look as strong as he did in 2002.

Prediction: 2 FF, 1 FG, 1 Labour, 1 Green (Green gain, Independent loss) Seats after the 2002 election Fianna Fail: 81 Fine Gael: 31 Labour: 20 PDs: 8 Greens: 6 Sinn Fein: 5 Socialist Party: 1 Others: 14 Net changes during 29th Dail Fianna Fail . . .2 Fine Gael +1 Labour +1 Current state of the parties Fianna Fail 79 Fine Gael 32 Labour Party 21 PDs 8 Green Party 6 Sinn Fein 5 Socialist Party 1 Independents 14 By-elections held during 29th Dail Kildare North Ind gain from Fianna Fail Meath Fine Gael hold Other changes during 29th Dail Beverley Cooper Flynn expelled from Fianna Fail Ind gain from FF Liam Twomey joins Fine Gael FGgain from Ind Charlie McCreevy appointed to European Comm'sn FFloss John Bruton appointed as EU ambassador to USA FGwon by-election Niall Blaney joins Fianna Fail FFgain from Ind Predicted state of the parties Fianna Fail: 75 (down six from 2002) Fine Gael: 40 (up nine) Labour: 20 (down one) Green Party: 8 (up two) PDs: 6 (down two) Sinn Fein: 6 (up one) Socialist Party: 2 (up one) Others: 9 (down four) Constituencies in which there is a change in seat allocation NEW CONSTITUENCIES Longford Westmeath (4 seats) Meath East (3) Meath West (3) Roscommon Leitrim South (3) Sligo Leitrim North (3) DEFUNCT CONSTITUENCIES Longford Roscommon (4) Meath (5) Sligo Leitrim (4) Westmeath (3) LOSES ONE SEAT Cork North Central (. . .1 to 4) Dublin North Central (. . .1 to 3) GAINS ONE SEAT Dublin Mid West (+1 to 4) Kildare North (+1 to 4)