Voters still regard Ahern's finances as serious issue

Taoiseach's finances: A substantial majority of voters believe Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has further questions to answer concerning his personal finances.

Moreover, half of them regard it as a serious issue in the election campaign. The findings contradict the views expressed by the main political parties who have said the matter is not an issue in the election campaign.

Asked if, in the light of recent disclosures about his personal finances, they felt the Taoiseach had further questions to answer, a total of 72 per cent said yes, although 17 per cent said he had given the full picture and 11 per cent had no opinion.

Among Fianna Fáil voters 52 per cent said that Mr Ahern had further questions to answer although that figure rose to 87 per cent among Fine Gael voters. It was 85 per cent among Labour voters, 75 per cent with PDs, and over 80 per cent for SF, Green and Other voters.

More divided views emerged when voters were asked whether they believed that the question of Mr Ahern's finances was a serious issue in the campaign. Exactly 50 per cent said it was a serious issue in the campaign although 43 per cent felt it was not, and 7 per cent had no opinion.

Attitudes on the matter broke down along party lines. A substantial majority of Fianna Fáil supporters, 65 per cent, felt it was not a serious issue in the campaign while 27 per cent of party supporters felt it was.

It was exactly the reverse among Fine Gael voters with 67 per cent saying it was an election issue and 36 per cent saying it was not.

Sinn Féin voters were most trenchant on the matter with 72 per cent saying it was a serious issue in the campaign, but the Greens were almost evenly split on its significance. Voters in Dublin were more likely to say Mr Ahern should make a statement.

Asked if he should make a full public statement clarifying his finances during the election campaign or should wait until he goes to the Mahon tribunal after the election, 59 per cent said he should deal with it in the campaign. However, 32 per cent felt he should wait for the tribunal and 9 per cent had no opinion.

Again there was a difference between Fianna Fáil voters and the rest. Among party supporters 36 per cent felt he should make a statement but 51 per cent said he should wait until the tribunal.

By contrast 76 per cent of Fine Gael voters wanted him to make a statement during the campaign while 70 per cent of Labour voters shared that view. Among SF voters 77 per cent want a statement while 64 per cent of Green Party voters and 52 per cent of PDs would like to hear it during the campaign.