Opposition looking strong in key regions

THE two main opposition parties have surged strongly in the two regions considered to be the cockpits of the election, Dublin and Munster, according to the Irish Examiner/Lansdowne Market Research Poll.

A geographical analysis shows that both Labour and Fine Gael have gained several points in both regions — about 10 marginal constituencies in the Dublin and greater Cork regions are considered to be pivotal.

While Fianna Fáil remains the biggest party in the capital with 30% of the votes, that represents a significant fall from 2002.