Martin cautious over poll boost for FF

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has reacted cautiously to his party’s jump in support in an Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll.

The party secured 26 per cent, an increase of 5 per cent, making it the best supported party in the State for the first time since the beginning of the economic crisis almost five years ago.

Mr Martin said “it may very well be” that Fianna Fáil would not have done as well if the poll was taken after the promissory note deal. He said he did not take opinion polls “that seriously”, adding that they were trends at a given point in time.

“I said this repeatedly when the polls were not so good for me,” he added. “I am not going to change my tune now.”

Speaking on the RTÉ Radio programme, This Week, Mr Martin said the real test would be the elections, with the local elections the next major electoral milestone for the parties.

“From our perspective, we have a lot to do to regain the trust of the Irish people,” he added. He said he was encouraged by the number of young people, particularly women, who were joining the party.