Rumours of summer election rife

The Taoiseach may be insisting that we are still more than 12 months away from going to the polls but opposition workers at Leinster House have been told there will be no leave in May or June this summer.

Bertie Ahern would favour the warm season to suit his traditional 'press the flesh' campaigning style and, with many of the budget benefits kicking in during April and May, it seems likely the Government will announce a summer election.