Support for the Government, the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil is at its lowest since Mr Ahern first became Taoiseach in 1997, according to the results of the latest Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll, writes Mark Brennock, Political Correspondent
Fine Gael and Labour are the only beneficiaries of the continuing Fianna Fáil slide, with their levels of public support now suggesting that they could hope to credibly offer an alternative government in the future.
Voters unhappy with the Government now outnumber those satisfied with it by a margin of two to one. Just 31 per cent are satisfied with the Coalition's performance, down two points since October, five points since September and a massive 30 points since May. Some 62 per cent are dissatisfied, up one point since October. Seven per cent have no opinion, up one point.
The state of the parties is: Fianna Fáil 32 per cent, down four points since October; Fine Gael 22 per cent, up three points; Labour 16 per cent, up two points; Sinn Féin 9 per cent, unchanged; Green Party 6 per cent, down two; Progressive Democrats 6 per cent, up one; Others 9 per cent, unchanged.
Core support for the parties is: Fianna Fáil 29 per cent, down five points since October; Fine Gael 16 per cent, up two; Labour 10 per cent, unchanged; Sinn Féin 7 per cent, unchanged; Green Party 4 per cent, down two; Progressive Democrats 4 per cent, unchanged; Others 8 per cent, unchanged. Some 22 per cent were undecided, up five points.
In last May's general election, party support was: Fianna Fáil 41.5 per cent; Fine Gael 22.5 per cent; Labour 10.5 per cent; PDs 4 per cent; Green Party 4 per cent; Sinn Féin 6.5 per cent; others 11 per cent.
The latest poll was conducted last Monday and Tuesday among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State.
For the second poll running there are more people dissatisfied than satisfied with Mr Ahern's performance as Taoiseach. Some 43 per cent are satisfied, down one point since October. 49 per cent are dissatisfied, down one point, while 8 per cent have no opinion. Mr Ahern is now in fourth place in the popularity stakes, having fallen marginally behind the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, the Labour Party leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte and Sinn Féin leader Mr Gerry Adams.
The satisfaction rating for the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, remains the lowest of all the party leaders at 29 per cent, down three points since October. Some 28 per cent are dissatisfied with his performance, up five points, with 43 per cent having no opinion, down two points.
Some 44 per cent are satisfied with the performance of the new Labour Party leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte. Just 19 per cent are dissatisfied while 37 per cent have no opinion. This is the first poll in which his standing was measured.
The Sinn Féin leader, Mr Gerry Adams, has registered an eight- point fall in his satisfaction rating to 44 per cent. Some 28 per cent are dissatisfied with his performance, unchanged since October, while 28 per cent have no opinion, up eight points.
The Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent, has also had a significant fall in his personal satisfaction rating, down seven points to 36 per cent. Some 21 per cent are dissatisfied with his performance, up four points, while 43 per cent have no opinion, up three points.
While Fianna Fáil supporters are satisfied with the Government by a margin of almost two to one, supporters of the Progressive Democrats register strong dissatisfaction with the Coalition, with 63 per cent dissatisfied and just 27 per cent satisfied. Ten per cent gave no opinion.
Support for both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael is at its highest among older voters and its lowest among the youngest voters.