Harney and Cowen moves are popular, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent
Last week's Cabinet reshuffle was the culmination of the longest-promised political makeover in recent Irish history. As soon as the expected hammering of Fianna Fáil in the June local government and European Parliament elections was confirmed, Government and Fianna Fáil figures were assuring voters that everything was going to change. They would listen and learn, they would start caring and listening and change the faces in Cabinet.
Today's opinion poll results suggest substantial public indifference to the reshuffle. Almost two out of three voters believe it will make no difference to the Government's performance, or actually make it worse.
The fact that some 29 per cent believe it will improve the Government's performance shows the reshuffle may have some of its intended effect, although more than half of these are supporters of the Government parties.
But individual elements of the reshuffle are clearly popular. The fact that two out of three voters think Ms Mary Harney's appointment to health is good shows she has considerable public goodwill as she embarks on a major political challenge.
On Thursday she said that improving A&E services, cancer care, waiting lists and a new consultants' contract were her main priorities. This poll shows that she begins the project of improving these areas with considerable public support.
Support for her appointment is apparent across the board. Labour voters are least enthusiastic about her appointment, but even among these 56 per cent think she was a good choice, 35 per cent a bad choice and 9 per cent have no opinion. Some 63 per cent of Fine Gael voters think it was a good choice, 20 per cent a bad choice and 17 per cent have no opinion. Supporters of the Government parties are, predictably, most enthusiastic.
Government supporters are also the most optimistic about the impact of the reshuffle. Among Fianna Fáil voters, 48 per cent believe it will improve the Government's performance, 3 per cent that it will disimprove it while 42 per cent say it will make no difference. Seven per cent have no opinion.
Some 38 per cent of PD voters believe it will improve Government performance, 4 per cent that it will disimprove it and 59 per cent say it will make no difference.
Some 25 per cent of Fine Gael voters believe the reshuffle will improve Government performance, 9 per cent that it will disimprove it and 61 per cent that it will make no difference. Some 5 per cent have no opinion.
Labour voters are least impressed, with just 9 per cent believing it will improve Government performance, 6 per cent that it will make it worse, 76 per cent that it will make no difference and 9 per cent have no opinion.
Some 26 per cent of Green Party voters think it will improve the Government's performance, none that it will disimprove it, 59 per cent that it will make no difference and 15 per cent have no opinion.
Finally, 22 per cent of Sinn Féin voters think it will improve Government performance, 7 per cent that it will disimprove it, 60 per cent that it will make no difference and 11 per cent have no opinion.
Voters were also asked for their view of the appointment of one other Minister, Mr Brian Cowen, the new Minister for Finance. His appointment, following the decision to send Mr Charlie McCreevy to Brussels to be Ireland's next EU Commissioner, was the most significant individual change in the reshuffle.
Just over half - 52 per cent - believe this was a good appointment, 16 per cent that it was a bad choice and 31 per cent have no opinion.
Again it is the supporters of the Government parties who approve the most of this choice. Some 72 per cent of Fianna Fáil supporters think it was a good choice, 10 per cent a bad choice and 18 per cent have no opinion. Some 58 per cent of PD voters approve of the appointment, 12 per cent think it was a bad one and 31 per cent have no opinion.
Some 51 per cent of Fine Gael voters approve of his appointment, 23 per cent think it was a bad choice and 27 per cent have no opinion.
Among Labour voters 43 per cent think he was a good choice, 26 per cent a bad choice and 31 per cent have no opinion. Some 35 per cent of Sinn Féin voters think it was a good choice, 20 per cent a bad choice and 45 per cent have no opinion. Finally, among Green Party voters some 37 per cent think it was a good choice, 26 per cent a bad choice and 37 per cent have no opinion.