Day 2: And we're off!

Today the campaign really kicked off. The day began early as usual, around 6.30 to organise everything for the canvass.

The trick with canvassing is to be systematic. Technology has improved over the last few campaigns. We're practically able to identify houses on a likelihood of voting basis, an issues basis, or in some cases on a party affiliation basis. This saves a lot of time when it comes to the last few panicked days of the campaign.

Next I was traveling back to Meath for a canvass of Navan and some areas in South Meath. We had an impressive 50 canvassers in the Navan area. It's great for morale to see so many activists out and about. Generally, it takes a day or two to warm up to the task - but then the banter begins and stories stretching back to '77 start flying.

Seeing the traffic on the road back to Navan brought home to me, as it does everyday as I commute to Dublin, that Meath needs the rail and the road. Sometimes the pace of infrastructure projects is as slow as the traffic we sit in.

I started proceedings for the M3 and the rail to Navan around ‘97. I'm glad to see there is progress, and I don't believe that anyone could have brought it quicker. I've worked with colleagues Seamus Brennan and Martin Cullen to force these vital pieces of infrastructure through. In 2009 a park and ride facility will open in Pace linking more Meath people with the railine and reducing commuter times.

I was at the sod turning on the M3 yesterday which was welcomed by the commuters and business people of Meath in general.

Funnily enough today an archaeological discovery was made. As promised work that might disturb the area ceased and archaeologists were given space and time to work. They will then make a judgment about the significance of the find.

I hope that this discovery is not hijacked and used as a method of trying to stop the road. This will be the largest piece of road infrastructure in the history of the state and I can tell you from what I'm hearing on the doorsteps - people need and want the M3. Meath will benefit in terms of attracting more business. Meath people will benefit from the reduced commute, giving them back some hours spent stuck in traffic everyday. Most importantly lives will be saved because of the increased safety of the road. I hope we can find a way to maintain progress and enhance people's quality of life by building this road whilst recognising the importance of our past.

So the day ended up at about 1am when I finished recording the last query we'd received from the canvasses early on.

Day 1 - Campaign is launched

Despite all the speculation Bertie surprised everyone and went to the Park early this morning. The 29th Dáil is dissolved and the election is now on.

Despite all the preparations over the months, the 'butterflies in the stomach' syndrome still hits as I worry if we are really ready. The way I see it is that you can never prepare enough for an election, there'll always be something that gets forgotten. You just hope you've got enough done.

I am in Dublin to launch the new 'Postbank' - An Post and Fortis (a Belgian bank) have come together to provide banking services to the Irish people. This move represents, some feel, the future of the post office in Ireland.

Next: my favourite pasttime - watching Meath win, something I hope to be doing more off in the Summer months. Meath beat Roscommon comprehensively in the Division 2 final in Breffini Park. Hopeful sign that we might be coming back to our glory days of the eighties and nineties.

When I arrive home I met with key workers to finalise details of the campaign.

Will he? Won’t he? Is it the 17th, the 24th, the 31st?

For me, it doesn’t really matter. It's going to happen. Probably before the end of May so there’s no point in speculating precisely when.

Just continue the preparation. Make sure the posters are ready, the leaflets are finalised and most importantly our people are ready.

Our people – the canvassers, the leaflet droppers, the posterers, office workers, tea makers, etc are a remarkable crew of men and women, young and not so young. They devote hours, days and, even, weeks to get their candidate elected.

They are remarkable because of the time commitment and passion they show at elections and indeed between elections.

They are real modern-day patriots.

They are remarkable because of the time commitment and passion they show at elections and indeed between elections.

Real patriots.

That’s why we always start our campaigns with a “get together” of workers and supporters.

Nearly 200 people turned up in Navan a few weeks ago and 120 came to the Trim Castle Hotel on Monday night last to hear the details of the campaign.

The enthusiasm in the room was palpable. Everybody was impatient to get started and get moving.

We discussed the tactics for the campaign, outlined the plans, discussed the issues.
The meeting was lively and the after meeting discussion was just as lively.

We are on the road....