Government support declines further as FF hits 20-year low

Support for the Government and the Taoiseach has dropped to record low points since they took power in 1997 while Fianna Fáil…

Support for the Government and the Taoiseach has dropped to record low points since they took power in 1997 while Fianna Fáil core support has fallen to the lowest level since Irish Times/MRBI polling began over 20 years ago. Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent, reports.

The latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll shows a modest recovery for Fine Gael with its support rising two points to 22 per cent, the level it achieved in last year's general election. Labour has lost three points since its post-conference high last May, but at 19 per cent is retaining significant gains since the 2002 election.

Sinn Féin has consolidated its support with a rise of 1 point to 10 per cent.

The state of the parties is: Fianna Fáil, 30 per cent, down 2 points since May; Fine Gael 22 per cent, up 2; Labour 19 per cent, down 3; Sinn Féin, 10 per cent, up 1; Progressive Democrats 5 per cent, up 1; Green Party 4 per cent, unchanged; Others 10 per cent, up 1.

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Core support for the parties is: Fianna Fáil 27 per cent, down 2; Fine Gael 16 per cent, up 2; Labour 12 per cent, down 2; Sinn Féin 7 per cent, unchanged; Progressive Democrats 3 per cent, unchanged; Others 8 per cent, up 1. Some 24 per cent were undecided, up 1.

In the May 2002 general election, party support was: Fianna Fáil 41.5 per cent; Fine Gael 22 per cent; Labour 11 per cent; PDs 4 per cent; Green Party 4 per cent; Sinn Féin 6.5 per cent; others 11 per cent.

As the Dáil prepares to resume next week, the poll shows that approval of the performance of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, continues on the dramatic slide it began just after last year's general election.

Some 58 per cent are now dissatisfied with the performance of the Taoiseach, up 6 points. Just 36 per cent are satisfied, down 5 points. Some 6 per cent have no opinion.

The Taoiseach's satisfaction rating has now fallen by 15 points in the last 12 months and a massive 33 points since just before the general election.

The collapse in his personal popularity has been matched by the dramatic slide in satisfaction with the Government. Just 27 per cent are satisfied with the Coalition's performance, down 1 point since May. Some 67 per cent are dissatisfied, up 2 points and 6 per cent have no opinion, down 1.

The latest drop in support for Mr Ahern, his party and Government follows a series of damaging controversies, notably the handling of the inquiry into child abuse that led to the resignation of Ms Justice Laffoy.

However, the controversy over the wedding of the Taoiseach's daughter in France to Nicky Byrne of Westlife has had little negative effect, with 70 per cent of voters saying it made no difference to their opinion of him. It lowered the opinion held of the Taoiseach by 23 per cent of voters, increased his standing among 4 per cent, while 3 per cent had no opinion on the matter.

The poll was conducted among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State last Monday and Tuesday.

While Fine Gael has shown a modest recovery from its very poor showing last May, the results for its leader, Mr Enda Kenny, are mixed.

The percentage with no opinion of him has fallen from 41 per cent to 33 per cent, leading to a 3 point increase in his approval rating to 29 per cent, but a 5 point rise in his disapproval rating to 38 per cent. Mr Kenny's approval rating is still one below that achieved by Mr Michael Noonan just before last year's general election.

While the Progressive Democrats at 5 per cent have gained one point since May, the personal satisfaction rating of the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, is at 41 per cent, down 4. Some 48 per cent are dissatisfied with her performance, while 11 per cent have no opinion.

Labour's 3 point fall from 22 per cent to 19 per cent marks a loss of half the 6 point boost it received in last May's poll which was taken immediately after its party conference.

Satisfaction with its leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, has fallen 6 points to 43 per cent; dissatisfaction has risen 8 points to 27 per cent. 30 per cent have no opinion, down 2 points.

While Sinn Féin support has increased one point to 10 per cent, Mr Gerry Adams's satisfaction rating has slipped 5 points to 43 per cent.

Those dissatisfied stand at 30 per cent, up 5, while 27 per cent have no opinion, unchanged since May.

The Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent, has seen a 4 point increase in his satisfaction rating to 30 per cent, a partial reversal of the 10 point drop he suffered in May. Some 23 per cent are dissatisfied with his performance, unchanged, while 47 per cent have no opinion, down 4.