Bertie Ahern on Sunday called a general election for May 24, seeking a third term as Taoiseach, something not achieved since Eamon de Valera, the pre-eminent leader of post Independence Ireland, led the country uninterrupted for the period 1932-48.

Polls suggest it will be one of the closest races in years, with current predictions putting the outgoing coalition of Mr Ahern’s populist Fianna Fail and the right of centre Progressive Democrats of Michael McDowell a few seats short of an overall majority in the 166-member Dail.