Voter satisfaction with Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has dropped by 12 percentage points following recent bad publicity for the party, according to the latest
Irish Times
/TNSmrbi poll.
In the fallout from the Northern Bank robbery, the murder of Robert McCartney in a Belfast pub last month and the collapse of the peace process, the figures are not entirely surprising, but unlike its president, the party has not faired badly.
Sinn Féin's satisfaction rating remains higher than it was in 2002 and despite falling two percentage points, it would have nine per cent of the vote if a general election was held tomorrow.
Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney has also suffered a dip in popularity, most probably as a knock-on effect of the illegal charging of patients in nursing homes.
Voter satisfaction with Ms Harney has dropped by seven percentage points to 47 per cent, while the Progressive Democrats have dropped by one to three per cent.
The PDs decline may mean Fianna Fáil, whose ratings remain stagnant on 38 per cent, could look elsewhere for a coalition partner come election time. However voter approval for the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has dropped by two points to 58 per cent.
Fianna Fáil's attention could well be drawn to the impressive rise of the Independents who have jumped four points to 12 per cent.
Also among the non-movers is Fine Gael who remain on 22 per cent, with leader Enda Kenny up one to 45 per cent.
The Irish Times/TNSmrbi poll was taken last Monday and Tuesday among 1,000 voters throughout every constituency in the State.
