1. Dun Laoghaire. A FG banker with Sean Barrett the most likely of the FG trio of candidates. Verdict: definite gain.

2. Cork South West. FF won a second seat here in 2002 for the first time in six decades but Collins country will revert back to the old 2FG:1FF tradition. Verdict: definite gain.

3. Carlow-Kilkenny. Traditionally returned two seats for FG and even with the Greens certain to make a gain the party should win a second seat here at the expense of FF. Verdict: almost certain gain.

4. Cork South Central. If FG doesn't win a second seat it won't break 40 seats nationally.

Verdict: almost certain gain.

5. Cavan-Monaghan. Another constituency with a tradition of two FG seats. The bookies are calling this as a gain for FG's Joe O'Reilly.

Verdict: likely gain.

6. Laois-Offaly. FF's three TDs look pretty solid and Tom Parlon won't be easily beaten but FG should take a second seat here. Verdict: likely gain.

7. Dublin North. FG drew a blank here in 2002 for the first time ever. With the two FF TDs retiring, James Reilly simply must win.

Verdict: likely gain.

8. Tipperary North. The odds favour FG's Noel Coonan but are there two de facto FG seats here (given Michael Lowry's presence)? Will Labour's Kathleen O'Meara transfer to Coonan at a better rate than in 2002? Can Michael Smith be written off? Verdict: 60-40 in favour of FG.

9. Dublin South West. A good candidate in Brian Hayes, but the FF Lenihan/O'Connor ticket will be hard to unseat. Verdict: FG should do it but. . .

10. Limerick East. Twenty-five years since party won two seats here, while the PDs have never failed to win a seat here. A real dog fight between PD minister Tim O'Malley and FG's Kieran O'Donnell. Verdict: 60-40 in favour of FG.

11. Galway East: No great tradition of two FG seats here and the party hasn't done itself any favours by running four candidates. FF targeting three and Independent TD Paddy McHugh can't be ruled out. Verdict: 55-45 12. Dublin Mid West. Upped to four seats, PDs' Mary Harney, FF's John Curran and Greens' Paul Gogarty should hold on, so between FG's Frances Fitzgerald and Labour's Joanna Tuffy. Verdict:

could go either way.

13. Dublin South. Word is PD Liz O'Donnell could be in real trouble, leaving it between FG's Alan Shatter and the two Labour candidates for the final seat. Verdict: Should be a Rainbow gain but will it be FG or Labour?

14. Cork East. The two FF seats look safe but FG has a good chance of gaining a second seat at Labour's expense. Verdict: too close to call.

15. Louth. Mairead McGuinness definitely has a chance of taking a seat for Fine Gael but the most recent local poll suggests it's far from certain. Verdict: a 50-50 call.

16. Mayo. With around 50% of the vote in some polls, FG should take a third seat here but it's so competitive that it's impossible to call. The nightmare scenario of 2FF and one Independent FF TD cannot be ruled out, nor can Jerry Cowley. Verdict: At best a 50-50 call for the party.

17. Roscommon-South Leitrim. Between FF's Michael Finneran and FG's Frank Feighan for the third seat. Verdict: 45-55 against FG winning it.

18. Dublin West. Leo Varadkar got a huge vote in the local elections but to win he will probably have to unseat the high-profile Joan Burton or Joe Higgins. Verdict: 40-60 against FG.

19. Sligo-North Leitrim. Third seat here between FF and FG with the former having the edge. Verdict: 30% chance.

20. Cork North West. FG has this as a gain but presence of three FF TDs is daunting. Verdict:

30% chance.

21. Donegal North East. A good candidate in Joe McHugh but very tough competition.

Verdict: 30% chance.

22. Dublin South East. Opposition to FG here, is tough. Lucinda Creighton (below) will have to unseat either FF, Michael McDowell or Ruairi Quinn. Verdict: 30% chance.

23. Kerry South. FG talked up here but hard to avoid the conclusion that the transfers of FF's second candidate Tom Fleming will elect Jackie Healy-Rae or vice versa. Verdict: 25% chance of a FG gain.

24. Wicklow. Andrew Doyle tipped as a dark horse to take second seat for FG. Gains by the Greens and Labour are more likely. Verdict: No gain.

=25. Dublin North East & Clare. In Dublin North East it's 25 years since FG's vote exceeded 20% in this three seater. Verdict:

No gain.

In Clare, Independent James Breen looks rock solid, as do the two FF seats. Ve rdict: No gain.