Support for Fine Gael party leader, Mr Michael Noonan, is lower in urban areas than his recent predecessor while his party now commands a smaller share of the vote than Labour, a new poll has indicated.
According to a Sunday Independent/IMS nationwide opinion poll, satisfaction with Mr Noonan is at 32 per cent, three points lower than Mr Bruton in November last year.
Fine Gael's voting share, at 13 per cent, is down 6 points, below Labour by one point.
In the poll Fianna Fáil support rose to 51 per cent while their coalition partners, the PDs have dropped to 3 per cent, a fall of two points.
Sinn Féin has 9 per cent support in urban areas ahead of the Greens who drop two points to 4 per cent. A group including the Workers Party and Independents are reported to have 15 per cent support.
Among the other party leaders the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern's satisfaction rating has dropped four points to 63 per cent. The Tánaiste, Ms Harney has 56 per cent approval, a fall of four points while Labour leader Mr Quinn has gained two points to 52 per cent.