A poll in the Sligo Leitrim constituency has suggested that the western development campaigner, Ms Marian Harkin, is well positioned to win a seat in the general election.
The MRBI poll, commissioned by the Sligo Weekender, found Ms Harkin was likely to top the poll with 23 per cent of the votes, followed by Mr John Perry of Fine Gael on 18 per cent. Mr John Ellis on 13 percent and Mr Jimmy Devins on 12 per cent, both of Fianna Fáil, were next.
Currently the four seats are divided between Mr Matt Brennan (FF); Mr John Ellis (FF); Mr John Perry (FG) and Mr Gerry Reynolds (FG).
On the basis of first preference votes, the poll suggests the loser would be the Fine Gael party, with Mr Gerry Reynolds, who received just 9 per cent, in danger.
Fianna Fáil targeted the constituency for a third seat at the last election but failed in the face of a Fine Gael resurgence. Now, with Mr John Ellis embroiled in a business controversy, and the second Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Matt Brennan, planning to retire at the next election, the party's target of three seats seems even more unattainable.
But Fine Gael appear to be the ones likely to lose out to a challenge from Ms Harkin.
Ms Harkin was one of the most outspoken voices in the campaign for regionalisation and the retention of Objective 1 status for the Border, Midlands and West region and has a high profile as a result.
She was defeated by Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon in her bid for a European Parliament seat in 1999.
However, Mr Gerry Reynolds, is a formidable politicians who will not be easily dislodged.
Mr Declan Bree, of Labour, who will be attempting to regain a seat lost at the previous election, came in with 6 per cent of first preferences in the poll, behind Mr Mr Seán McManus, of Sinn Féin, at 8 per cent.
Ms Harkin came to national prominence as chairwoman of the lobby group, the Council for the West. It is understood informal approaches had been made to her by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
