Latest poll result

Fianna Fail: 42% Fine Gael: 20% Labour Party: 12% Sinn Fein: 8% Green Party: 5% Progressive Democrats: 4%

Few believed the administration would last its five year tenure, but it became the first Irish government to last a full term since World War II.

"In the three weeks ahead I pledge my party, and I ask all parties, to give the people of Ireland the campaign they deserve - a campaign of substance not slander, of issues not insults," Mr Ahern said.

Poll lead

Fianna Fail is widely expected to win the election, after several years of rapid economic growth and the successful conclusion of the Good Friday agreement in 1998.

An Irish Times opinion poll taken at the end of February showed the party on 42%, ahead of Fine Gael - another centre party - on 20%, and the Labour Party on 12%.

Some analysts believe Mr Ahern may even win a majority of seats in the Dail.

Before leaving to call on President McAleese, he promised a "world-class" health service, better public services and higher pensions.

He also pledged to "secure the rule of peace and advance the unity of this island".

Scandal

Opposition parties say Fianna Fail remains tainted by a series of tax-evasion scandals involving parliamentary deputies, and have accused it of squandering opportunities provided by the economic boom.

Bookmakers' odds for PM

Bertie Ahern: 1-7 favourite Michael Noonan (Fine Gael): 4-1 Ruairi Quinn (Labour): 40-1 Gerry Adams (Sinn Fein): 1,000-1

"As far as ordinary people are concerned, this government has failed, and it has failed to address their fundamental needs," said Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan.

He joined other election hopefuls on Thursday on the streets of Dublin, kissing babies, shaking hands with street entertainers and buying flowers from a market stall.

He promised state intervention to improve child care, safety on the streets, the health service and traffic congestion.

Sinn Fein is hoping to follow its success in last year's general election in Northern Ireland.

The party currently has one parliamentary deputy but is predicting to return at least three this time.