Meath and Kildare North byelections: Minister for Enterprise Michéal Martin has a query about the tiny flashing object he is peering at in the Pemstar factory in Navan.Canvassers pour in from many parts of countryCampaign trail
The object is a pillcam - a technological and medical marvel - 10,000 of which are made at the plant each month. Less than the size of a thumbnail, the pillcam is a minute camera encased in a pill that is swallowed to provide detailed images and information on a patient's intestinal tract, removing the need for invasive and uncomfortable procedures.
"How is it retrieved?" the Minister asked about the expensive piece of equipment.
"It's disposable," Pemstar's vice-president Richard Hanlon explains politely.
It's just before 1pm and Michéal Martin is on the election trail, the latest in a succession of Ministers in Meath to canvass with Fianna Fáil candidate Shane Cassells.
There may be reports of difficulties in the Fianna Fáil campaign in neighbouring Kildare, but back in Meath the Fianna Fáil election machine is well-oiled and in overdrive. Canvassers have been pouring in from many parts of the country to help the locals, who are also out en masse.
Back in the car, the 26-year-old Cassells is full of confident, if nervous, energy.
Cassells, who already has a seat on Meath County Council, has reason to have some confidence, as the party is putting an extraordinary effort into the Meath campaign, which is seen very much as a two-horse race between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Earlier on at the Newgrange Hotel, local TD and Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey, who is also director of elections, said the canvas has been comprehensive. The constituency has been split into five separate areas, with a Minister for State given overall responsibility for each area, and the local Fianna Fáil organisation arranging the canvass, backed up by outside canvassers.
Most of the 80,000 plus houses in the county having been canvassed at least once. There are small pockets left, and canvassers are returning to some homes for a second time. He is almost on autopilot as he bats away questions on the M3 and the proposed incinerator in Meath.
Those opposed to the M3 going through the Tara-Skryne Valley are misleading people when they say there is a viable alternative route, while those opposed to incineration are involved in "irresponsible politics" as it is better than landfilling. Mostly, however, Cassells is keen to talk about how the strengths of the formidable Fianna Fáil organisation in Meath, which he said has united behind him.
Outside help comes from Fianna Fáil volunteers, especially younger members, who have descended on the constituency to canvass throughout the campaign.
The younger supporters have most definitely added colour to the campaign. The "Cassells Crew", a group of 20-something students and graduates, have become a familiar sight during the campaign at traffic lights, train stations, shopping centres and night clubs.
Dressed in luminous yellow windcheaters and Fianna Fáil baseball caps, the crew, mainly women are enthusiastic to say the least, and hard to avoid. They even have a theme song, We are the Cassells Crew, which they sing to their candidate in Navan shopping centre, and which includes the lines He's for the rail link, choo choo and the M3, beep beep.
Maeve Donlon, from Dublin, said she and fellow young party members are keen to get Cassells elected as it improves the chances of getting other young people selected to run for the party.