Recent focus-group sessions commissioned by the Labour party produced results which, party insiders say, show an electorate which is weary of the current government and increasingly tired of Bertie Ahern. Fianna Fail, on the other hand, sees Ahern as its biggest asset. Hence, 'Bertie's team' is the party's initial election slogan.

Labour and Fianna Fail cannot both be correct in their reading of the reseach. It may, however, be that any tiredness with Ahern is relative to the public perception about the man who wants his job. Fianna Fail wants an election campaign which centres on the choice for Taoiseach. Ahern, it believes, has a significant edge over his Fine Gael counterpart. Even Labour figures privately admit that Enda Kenny is not playing well, with strong negative responses in urban group sessions.

Fianna Fail entered the national campaign for the first time this weekend and, in its quest for a contest dominated by the personalities of the two main party leaders, the ardfheis delegates at Dublin's Citywest complex were all about their leader. In his 10 years as Taoiseach, the Drumcondra man has been tranformed from politician to celebrity. But this personal appeal alone will not deliver a hat-trick of general election successes for Fianna Fail.

Ahern's attention on the environmental agenda, combined with Brian Cowen's strident attack on the oppostion, was a reminder that the forthcoming election will be keenly contested. "Each commitment offered by the opposition is a commitment made to attract attention and grab a few headlines, " Cowen declared. Fianna Fail is being presented as a party the voter can trust; the party of prudence.

But just in case that message does not convince sufficient voters, Fianna Fail is not about to allow its opponents . . . and its coalition partners, the PDs . . . woo the voters with giveaway goodies. As Ahern signalled last night with his tax-cutting package, Fianna Fail is just as capable of engaging in auction politics as any other party.