Opposition politicians today dismissed a surge in Fianna Fáil support as an inevitable ‘Brian Cowen bounce’ that wouldn’t last.
But a senior colleague of the next Taoiseach insisted the five point jump in a popularity poll was a fair reflection of the main government party's standing among voters.
Jim O'Keeffe, Fine Gael for Cork South West, said the ratings merely reflected temporary good will towards the Tanaiste's promotion.
"That sort of bounce is to be expected. A certain honeymoon period is predictable," he said.
The former front bench Opposition spokesman said there was also relief among the electorate — and within Fianna Fáil — that Bertie Ahern is to stand down within weeks.
Over a fifth of those surveyed (22 per cent) felt Mr Ahern should not have resigned while 31 per cent did not want him to quit but felt he had no option following recent revelations about his personal finances.
"I suppose the poll is a certain expression of hope that the party can get back to what they should have been dealing with for a long time — the problems of the country," said Mr O'Keeffe.
"But people will go back and focus on what counts in this country.
"They will judge Brian Cowen when he has been in office for some time. He's not there yet.
"I think a lot of people, including myself, will be saying 'good luck' — if not for yourself, for the sake of the country."
Willie Penrose, Labour Party's Enterprise, Trade and Employment spokesman, said he wasn't concerned by the jump in support for Fianna Fáil.
"Every time a party changes a leader they get a bounce," he said.
"At the end of the day, Brian Cowen has extremely challenging times ahead. The real test of evaluation will be 12 or 15 months down the line.
"I see nothing in this poll that I'm non-plussed about. The man isn't even the position yet."