Election snapshot: A guide to the capital
Dublin North-Central
FF junior minister Sean Haughey and independent Finian McGrath aren't safe with Labour's Aodhan O Riordain tipped. FG's Richard Bruton gets the dreaded safe-seat sticker, with running mate Naoise O Muiri also in contention. The transfers of Sinn Fein's Helen McCormack and the Green Party's Donna Cooney will be crucial.
Dublin North-West
FF minister Pat Carey and former minister Noel Ahern know one of them won't be back. Indeed, there are concerns both will lose out.
FG is enjoying an entertaining battle royal between Bill Tormey and Gerry Breen. Sinn Fein's Dessie Ellis is also in the hunt again.
Labour's Roisin Shortall is the predicted poll-topper but is under pressure to bring in running mate John Lyons.
Dublin North-East
The retirement of Michael Woods makes FF's seat vulnerable. The party has yet to pick its replacement candidate. But former Labour TD Sean Kenny and Sinn Fein's Larry O'Toole have FF in their sights.
Labour's Tommy Broughan and FG's Terence Flanagan are solid, but won't let up on their prodigious work-rate. Green Party's David Healy would have a chance on a better day for his party.
Dublin North
FF's Darragh O'Brien and Michael Kennedy know the maths doesn't add up for two seats. Socialist Clare Daly, Labour's Brendan Ryan and Tom Kelleher, FG's Alan Farrell and independent David O'Connor are all in the hunt.
FG's deputy leader James Reilly ought to be safe and heading for Cabinet, while the Green's Trevor Sargent is in danger but boosted by a long track record.
Dublin West
An extra seat in the frame with Socialist MEP Joe Higgins leading the charge. Labour's Patrick Nulty, Sinn Fein's Paul Donnelly and FG's Kieran Dennison will ensure he doesn't get it easy.
The three stars, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, Labour's Joan Burton and FG's Leo Varadkar, will surely return. But who will be the cabinet minister afterwards?
Dublin Mid-West
The vultures are already circling Mary Harney's seat, whether she runs or not. FG's Frances Fitzgerald and Derek Keating are jostling for position. Labour's Robert Dowds and Sinn Fein's Eoin O Broin are also poised in the knowledge hers is not the only seat in jeopardy. FF's John Curran, with or without a running mate, and the Green's Paul Gogarty are also less than safe. Labour's Joanna Tuffy only has to stay ahead of her running mate.
Dublin South-West
FF's Conor Lenihan and Charlie O'Connor are aware two into one seat won't go. Sinn Fein's Sean Crowe and Labour's Eamonn Maloney are best placed to capitalise. FG's Brian Hayes has no running mate yet, but that may change. Labour's Pat Rabbitte is Cabinet bound, but needs to get his running mate across the line.
Dublin South
Without Seamus Brennan and Tom Kitt, the scene is completely changed. FF's Maria Corrigan expects to run but the party is trying to sort out its ticket. FG's Alan Shatter and Olivia Mitchell are also awaiting developments. Labour's Alex White had better live up to his hype and win a seat and will be joined by Lettie McCarthy or Aidan Culhane on the ticket. Green minister Eamon Ryan is far from safe. Sinn Fein's Shaun Treacy continues to build.
Dun Laoghaire
Down a seat in an already competitive constituency. The three coalition TDs, FF's Mary Hanafin and Barry Andrews and Green Ciaran Cuffe are all endangered. Labour leader Eamon Gilmore is trying to bring in Ivana Bacik, FG's Sean Barrett has Mary Mitchell-O'Connor as a running mate and People Before Profit's Richard Boyd-Barrett is also vying to get elected after coming so close last time.
Dublin South-East
Green Party leader John Gormley is hoping he won't become the Michael McDowell of this election. FF's Chris Andrews is also battling hard for survival. Labour and FG are both vying for two seats with Ruairi Quinn joined by Kevin Humphreys and Lucinda Creighton by Eoghan Murphy.
Dublin South-Central
FF's Sean Ardagh is replaced by party colleague Michael Mulcahy, who is not guaranteed to hold on.
Eamonn Walsh is waiting on the subs' bench if the party decides he needs a running mate. With Mary Upton retiring, Labour is running her nephew, Henry Byrne, along with Eric Byrne and Michael Conaghan.
Sinn Fein's Aengus O Snodaigh is again strong, while FG's Catherine Byrne may be joined by Colm Brophy.
- Fionnan Sheahan
Irish Independent
