Poll of the Day: 72% of readers would vote the same way again

Seventy-two per cent of Irish Times readers would vote the same way if another general election was held, according to an online poll.

As Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin began negotiations on forming a government on Wednesday, the Irish Times Poll of the Day asked readers: “If another election is called, will you vote the same way?” Respondents could either answer “yes” or “no”.

The poll found 28 per cent of the 2,972 voters answered “no”, while the vast majority (72 per cent) indicated they would vote the same way if they went to the polls a second time.

Harry McGee, Political Correspondent said “The outcome of the ‘poll of the day’ is not all that surprising, given that everything has remained in flux since the day of the election.

“Without a new government, without any major decision having been made, there is very little of material value that would persuade people to change their minds.

“In terms of the lack of success in forming a government, the levels of frustration with the big parties seem not to have reached boiling point as yet.

“However, while three quarter of respondents still believe their choice is correct, it is significant that a quarter might be willing to change their vote. If that were upheld in a real life situation, it could have a big bearing, and could leave us with a very different outcome.”

On Wednesday, the focus at home is on the formation of government. Sarah Bardon reports that ahead of a Dáil vote for taoiseach, two blocks of independent TDs have confirmed they will be abstaining.

“The Independent Alliance and a group of five rural TDs said they would be abstaining, as has Dublin South-West TD Katherine Zappone and Dublin Central TD Maureen O’Sullivan,” she writes.

The Labour Party was due to hold a meeting in the afternoon to discuss the vote and are also expected to abstain.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said he would not be put forward for taoiseach and Sinn Féin's 23 TDs will vote against both Mr Kenny and Mr Martin.

The ’Irish Times Poll of the Day’ was a self-selecting survey of readers of irishtimes.com which ran from 9am-1.30pm.