The single issue is that there is no longer a single predictable issue

Almost every single one of the constituencies contains a variable factor that will change the nature of the result from the overall picture presented by opinion poll statistics, no matter how elegantly balanced.

WOULDN’T you be sorry for the deer? Sunday is the one morning they usually have the Phoenix Park to themselves, at least until the day is well-aired. Yesterday, as a blood-red sun arose over the trees, they had to contend with a State car, media vehicles, a rake of microphones and Charlie Bird. God love them.

Putting the trauma to Bambi & Co to one side, yesterday’s dawn strike was the result of comprehensive planning by Bertie Ahern. Think about the last week. It was stuffed with calm lengthy interviews done by the Taoiseach: the kind of interviews he couldn’t hope for once the Electoral broadcasting rules on balance kick in. It featured an opinion poll ghastly in its implications for Fianna Fáil and consequent pessimistic inputs to radio programmes by Fianna Fáil activists, talking about “the most difficult” campaign they could remember.