Election campaign likely to be longest in history

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern effectively launched the General Election campaign yesterday — and made it clear it would be the longest one in history.

Mr Ahern used a whirlwind walkabout in Westport, Co Mayo, where Fianna Fáil are holding a parliamentary “think-in”, to indicate that he would not call the election until as late as possible.

On receiving a complimentary pair of shoes from a shop in the town, he joked the leather would have to hold-out until the end of campaigning on June 29.