TÁNAISTE EAMON Gilmore has said the results of the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll are a measure of how difficult the Government’s job has been.
A significant finding in the poll is that Mr Gilmore’s party, Labour, has seen a six-point drop in support to 13 per cent, while Sinn Féin has had a six-point gain, rising to 21 per cent.
“We are a long way from a general election,” said Mr Gilmore. “It’s a measure of how difficult a job this Government has to do.
“What we have to do is to be focused on this job. This is a time for courage, and we have to have the courage to stick to the task.”
Mr Gilmore was speaking at a press conference, also attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Mr Kenny said his response to the poll, which showed his party down three points, was that he does not comment on them.
“The poll, as we say, is the general election. We have got a massive mandate [last year].”
Fianna Fáil’s Dara Calleary said the party was not disappointed with the poll as it had a long-term plan.
Fianna Fáil saw a one-point drop to 14 per cent, and has not risen above the mid-teens since last year’s election.
“Sinn Féin is where the Labour Party was at in the last Dáil. They are responding to every problem with a headline. They are getting great support, but it’s temporary. Our solution is to come up with plans that are real.”
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan made a similar point on Sinn Féin.
“They have got all the negative side of politics to themselves – because Fianna Fáil has continued to support the kind of programmes they did when they were in government.”
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams led a delegation of senior party members on to the plinth of Leinster House to give his party’s reaction. He was particularly critical of the Labour Party, which he said had been elected to protect the interests of working people but had not lived up to its promises.
“It confirms what we are hearing on the ground. They need to listen to what the people are saying, and this Government needs to change tack . . . People elected this Government and they didn’t elect them to implement Fianna Fáil policy, and I think this is what this Government are doing.”
He said the Government continued to protect bankers and special advisers and the status of the promissory note while the elderly, the sick and the unemployed were left hurting.
In a pointed reference to the smaller Coalition party, he questioned what it had achieved during its 100 years.
“There are profound issues for the Labour Party. This is its centenary year. What has been its achievement in 100 years?
“This is the first opinion poll after its ardfheis, which usually gives a party a boost . . . It has become a mudguard for Fine Gael, and people know that and are reflecting that in this opinion poll,” said Mr Adams.