With the possibility of an early election next year, it will be very interesting to see how the new constituencies will fare. Here is my breakdown based on the Local and Euro Election Results.

Carlow-Kilkenny (5 Seats): Fianna Fail currently hold 3 seats but will probably drop to 2 with the strong showing of John Paul Phelan. Labour will regain the old Seamus Pattison seat at the expense of Mary White.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 2, LAB 1 (FG gain from FF, Lab gain from Grn).

Cavan-Monaghan (5 Seats): FF gained a seat here the last time through Margaret Conlon but would be pressed to hold on to 3. If Rory O'Hanlon retires, as seems likely, FF will be content to hold the two. FG's Joe O'Reilly could pick up an extra seat for the party here.
Caoimhin O'Caoileain (SF) is safe.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 2, SF 1 (FG to gain from FF).

CLARE (4 Seats): Timmy Dooley and Tony Killeen would appear to be safe for FF, while Joe Carey and Pat Breen should return to Leinster House for FG. The others are a long way off the mark.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 2 (No change).

CORK EAST (4 Seats): FF's Ned O'Keeffe is safe, as is FG's David Stanton and Labour's Sean Sherlock. It promises to be a fascinating battle between FF (Michael Ahern) FG (Paul Bradford) and Labour (John Mulvihill Snr or Jnr) for the last seat, with Bradford likely to shade matters if FF's current slide continues.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 2, LAB 1 (FG gain from FF).

CORK NORTH CENTRAL (4 Seats): FF's Noel O'Flynn and Billy Kelliher should return to the Dail, bar a meltdown in FF vote, Labour's Ciaran Lynch is secure, as is FG's Bernard Allen. Hard to see a change here.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 1, LAB 1 (No change).

CORK NORTH WEST (3 Seats): FF's Michael Moynihan and FG's Michael Creed will romp home. FF's Batt O'Keeffe and FG's Gerard Murphy will be in a fight for the last seat. Jimmy Collins (I think that is his name) who stood in the local elections could scupper FG's chances of a second seat if he stands.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 1 (No change).

CORK SOUTH CENTRAL (5 Seats): FF's Michael Martin and Michael McGrath would appear to be safe, as are FG's Deirdre Clune and Simon Coveney. Kathleen Lynch will return for Labour.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 2, LAB 1 (No change).

CORK SOUTH WEST (3 seats): FF's Christy O'Sullivan should retain his seat, while Jim O'Keeffe will almost certainly return to Dail Eireann. With PJ Sheahan unlikely to run, the final seat would appear to be between FG and Labour, with Labour likely to pick up an extra seat here.

PREDICITION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1 (Labour gain from FG).

DONEGAL NORTH EAST (3 Seats): Sinn Fein have targeted Donegal as fertile ground for the next election, FF's Jim McDaid and Neil Blaney will be in a tussle for 1 certain FF seat, while FG's Joe McHugh should return. FF and SF likely to fight out for final seat, with FF maybe shading the issue here.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 1 (No change).

DONEGAL SOUTH WEST (3 Seats): One thing is for sure is that Mary Coughlan will return to Dail Eireann, as should Dinny McGinley (FG). Again, a likely tussle between FF and SF for last seat with Pearse Doherty to spring a surprise here.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, SF 1 (Sinn Fein gain from Fianna Fail).

DUBLIN CENTRAL (4 Seats): With Bertie Ahern unlikely to run, MAry Fitzpatrick is now the front runner for a seat for FF here. FG's Pascal Donohue should win a seat based on his by-election form, while Joe Costello (Lab) and Maureen O'Sullivan (Ind) are safe.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1, IND 1 (FG gain from FF).

DUBLIN NORTH (4 Seats): FF should get at least 1 seat through either Michael Kennedy or Darragh O'Brien, FG's James O'Reilly should romp home. Trevor Sergent should hold his seat for the Green's while the last seat will be between O'Brien (FF), Ryan (Lab) and Clare Daly (Soc) with Ryan to benefit from Daly's transfers.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1, GRN 1 (LAB gain from FF).

DUBLIN NORTH CENTRAL (3 Seats): No change here with Sean Haughey, Finian McGrath and Richard Bruton likely to hold their seats.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, IND 1

DUBLIN NORTH EAST (3 Seats): No change here.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, IND 1 (No change).

DUBLIN NORTH WEST (3 Seats): Another area where FF could drop a seat (Noel Ahern the most likely). FG's Bill Tormey and Dessie Ellis (SF) are in the mix for the final seat, with Tormey, who has been knocking on the door for some time now, likely to shade it.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1 (FG gain from FF).

DUBLIN MID WEST (4 Seats): Expanded into a 4 seater, Mary Harney's retirement could make this an interesting one. John Curran (FF) should hold, as should Francis Fitzgerald (FG) and Labour's Joanna Tuffy). Derek Keating (FG) and SF's Mary Lou McDonald will fight for the final seat, with Keating likely to benefit.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 2, LAB 1 (FG to gain extra seat).

DUBLIN SOUTH (5 SEATS): I can't see Fine Gael retaining their 3 seats in a general election here. They look good for 2, with Olivia Mitchell and George Lee the more likely. The waters are muddied for FF, with Tom Kitt's possible retirement. Eoin Ryan could stand for FF here, with Shay Brennan and Maria Corrigan. FF could win 2 with Ryan on the ticket. The last seat appears to be between FG, Eamonn Ryan (Grn) and Labour's Alex White, with White, based on his by-election performance, likely to gain at the expense of Ryan and Alan Shatter.

PREDICTION FF 2, FG 2, LAB 1 (Labour gain from Greens).

DUBLIN SOUTH CENTRAL (5 Seats): FF will almost certainly drop 1 here as their vote has been in decline for some time now. FG's Catherine Byrne appears to be safe, as is Mary Upton (Labour). The last 2 seats would appear therefore to be between FF, Labour (Eric Byrne) and Sinn Fein's Aongus O'Snodaigh (who should scrape in).

PREDICTION; FF 1, FG 1, LAB 2, SF 1 (Labour gain from FF).

DUBLIN SOUTH EAST (4 SEATS): FG did well in the General Election but won't win a 2nd seat. Chris Andrews should hold his seat for FF, while Ruairi Quinn would appear to be safe also, Lucinda Creighton will top the poll, leaving the final seat to be between John Gormley (Green) and Eoghan Murphy (FG) with Gormley likely to shade it.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1, GRN 1 (No change).

DUBLIN SOUTH WEST (4 SEATS): Conor Lenihan should be ok here as should Brian Hayes (FG) and Labour's Pat Rabbitte, while FF's Charlie O'Connor and SF's Sean Crowe will battle it out for final seat. Crowe has the edge now.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1, SF 1

DUBLIN WEST (4 SEATS): Brian Lenihan (FF), Joan Burton (Lab) and Leo Varadcar (FG) should all return to Dail Eireann. The last seat will go to Joe Higgins (if he runs in the general election).

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1, SOC 1


DUN LAOGHAIRE (4 Seats): Dropping from 5 to 4, the mother of all battles is in store here. Mary Hanafin should hold her seat as should Sean Barrett (FG), Labour's Eamonn Gilmore will top the poll. FF's Barry Andrews, the Green's Ciaran Cuffe and Richard Boyd Barrett will battle it out for the last with Boyd Barrett based on his good showing last time out, likely to win out.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1, PBP 1

GALWAY EAST (4 SEATS): No change here with FF's Noel Treacy and Michael Kitt and FG's Ulick Burke and Paul Connaughton set to retain their seats.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 2 (No Change).

GALWAY WEST (5 Seats): Eamonn O'Cuiv and Frank Fahey should make it back for FF, while Padraig McCormack is safe for FG. Fidelma Healy-Eames should make it a double for FG. If Michael D stands for Labour he will romp home. If he doesn't, Labour and Noel Grealish will fight out for the last seat with Labour to hang on.

PREDICTION; FF 2, FG 2, LAB 1 (FG gain from the PD's).

KERRY NORTH (3 Seats): Another fascinating duel here. FF's Tom McEllistrim could be in trouble, while Jimmy Deenihan (FG) is the only one who would appear to be certain to return to Dail Eireann. Arthur Spring's entry makes this one too close to call.

PREDICTION: FG 1, LAB 1, SF 1 (Labour gain from FF).

KERRY SOUTH (3 Seats): With John O'Donoghue returning automatically for FF as Ceann Comhairle, FF appear set to take a second seat (most likely at the expense of the Healy-Rae's).

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 1 (FF gain from Ind).

KILDARE NORTH (4 Seats): Aine Brady (FF) should return to Leinster House, while Bernard Durkan would appear safe for FG. Labour's Emmet Stagg has a sound base, while the final seat will be between Catherine Murphy (Ind) and Michael Fitzpatrick (FF) with Murphy likely to reverse the May 07 result.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1, IND 1 (Ind gain from FF).

KILDARE SOUTH (3 Seats): FF should drop 1, with FG likely to regain Alan Dukes' old seat. Labour's Jack Wall appears to be safe.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1 (FG gain from Labour).

LAOIS-OFFALY (5 Seats): The Taoiseach's constituency. FF should hang on for 3 here with Cowen's huge vote. FG's Charlie Flanagan and Olwen Enright safe. No change.

PREDICTION: FF 3, FG 2 (No change).

LIMERICK CITY (4 seats): A new constituency: FF's Willie O'Dea and Peter Power should be ok. FG's Michael Noonan and Labour's Jan O'Sullivan appear safe also.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 1, LAB 1.

LIMERICK COUNTY (3 Seats): Another new constituency: FF to hold 1 (Niall Collins or Sean Cregan), FG appear likely to hold at least 1 (Kieran O'Donnell). A fascinating battle for the final seat between FF's Cregan, FG's Dan Neville and Labour's James Heffernan.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 2 (FG gain from FF).

LONGFORD-WESTMEATH (4 SEATS). FG's Nickey McFadden could take extra seat for her party at FF's expense.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 2, LAB 1 (FG gain from FF).


LOUTH (5 Seats): Up from 4 to 5, Dermot Ahern and Seamus Kirk should return to the Dail, FG's Fergus O'Dowd is safe, as is SF's Arthur Morgan. Mairead McGuinness could make her Dail debut here.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 2, SF 1.

MAYO (5 Seats): No change in Kenny country. No prospect of a 4th FG seat here.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 3.

MEATH EAST (3 seats): Mary Wallace (FF) should hold her seat, as should FG's Shane McEntee. Thomas Byrne (FF) likely to contest final seat with Labour's Dominick Hannigan.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1.

MEATH WEST (3 seats): Noel Dempsey and Johnny Brady appear to be safe for FF, John Farrelly (FG) should return to Dail Eireann also.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 1 (No change).

ROSCOMMON-SOUTH LEITRIM (3 Seats): No change here with all 3 outgoing TD's set to return.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 2 (No change).

SLIGO-LEITRIM (3 Seats): FF's Jimmy Devins should be safe, as should FG's John Perry. Declan Bree could and SF's Sean McManus likely to be in mix for final seat, with Bree to surprise.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, IND 1 (IND gain from FF).

TIPP NORTH (3 Seats): Marie Hoctor (FF) could be in trouble from FF running mate Michael Smith Jnr, FG's Noel Coonan and Michael Lowry should return. No change likely with change in personnel for FF possible.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, IND 1 (No change).

TIPP SOUTH (3 Seats): FF gained an extra seat here in 07 but could surrender it next time out. Martin Manseragh is in danger. It promises to be a right dogfight with Labour's Phil Prendergast and Seamus Healy to slog it out with Manseragh for final seat. Tom Hayes (FG) and Willie McGrath (FF) appear to be safe.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, IND 1 (IND gain from FF).

WATERFORD (4 Seats): Martin Cullen's constituency. FF will have trouble hanging on to 2 seats, and will drop 1 (Cullen more than likely). FG's John Deasy and Labour's Brian O'Shea are safe. FG and the Worker's Party could fight it out for the last seat, don't rule out Davy Daniels.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 1, LAB 1, WP 1 (WP gain from FF).

WEXFORD (5 Seats): No change in Slaneyside.

PREDICTION: FF 2, FG 2, LAB 1 (No change).

WICKLOW (5 Seats): Joe Behan's defection from FF and his stance since should guarantee his election. Dick Roche (FF) is secure, as are the FG pair. Labour's Liz McManus will romp home but there will be no gain for Labour.

PREDICTION: FF 1, FG 2, LAB 1, IND 1.