A large majority of voters including most Sinn Féin supporters believe the party should now split from the IRA, according to the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent
There has also been a dramatic increase over the past six weeks in the number that believes the IRA carried out the Northern Bank robbery, and a strong swing against the idea that Sinn Féin could serve in a coalition government in the Republic after the next general election.
Two thirds of voters - 67 per cent - believe Sinn Féin should split from the IRA, just 12 per cent that they should not, and 21 per cent don't know. Even Sinn Féin voters support such a split with 56 per cent in favour, 22 per cent against and 22 per cent don't know.
Some 64 per cent believe the IRA was responsible for the Northern Bank robbery, up 17 points since the last poll just six weeks ago. Just 11 per cent now believe the IRA was not responsible, down eight points, while 25 per cent don't know or have no opinion, down nine points.
The poll was taken last Monday and Tuesday, February 28th and March 1st, among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters throughout all constituencies in the State.
The comparison is with a similar poll taken mid-January after the Northern Bank raid but before the furore over the killing of Robert McCartney and the discovery of a major money-laundering operation in the Republic.
This poll shows that since mid-January scepticism has grown over Sinn Féin's commitment to working towards the ending of all paramilitary violence and criminal activity.
Some 41 per cent believe Sinn Féin is so committed, down five points since January. Almost the same proportion - 39 per cent - believes Sinn Féin is not committed to ending all paramilitary violence and criminal activity, and 20 per cent don't know or have no opinion, down two points.
However, despite recent events, public determination that negotiations with Sinn Féin towards a deal in the North should continue remains undiminished. Some 62 per cent - the same proportion as six weeks ago - believe the Irish and British governments should continue to negotiate with Sinn Féin for a deal in the North.
Just 30 per cent believe they should suspend negotiations until the governments are satisfied that there is a verified end to IRA criminal activity, an increase of just four points, while 8 per cent don't know or have no opinion, down four points.
A third of voters believes the IRA is likely to return to violence, although a larger number believes this is unlikely. Some 33 per cent believe a return to violence is likely, 44 per cent that it is unlikely and 23 per cent don't know.
Opinion has hardened against the possibility of Sinn Féin serving in government in the Republic. Some 28 per cent believe it would be an acceptable government party if there were a general election tomorrow, a fall of 11 per cent.
A majority - 56 per cent - believe it would be unacceptable, an increase of 17 points while 16 per cent don't know or have no opinion, down six points.
Labour supporters see Sinn Féin as somewhat more acceptable as coalition partners than do voters for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Some 22 per cent of Fianna Fáil supporters believe they would be acceptable, 61 per cent that they would not and 17 per cent don't know or have no opinion.
Among Fine Gael voters 21 per cent see Sinn Féin as acceptable participants in government, 68 per cent do not and 11 per cent don't know or have no opinion.
Some 31 per cent of Labour supporters see Sinn Féin as acceptable partners, 59 per cent do not and 10 per cent don't know or have no opinion.
Voters strongly disbelieve the claim that Sinn Féin and the IRA are separate organisations, with just 20 per cent believing that they are, 60 per cent that they are not and 18 per cent don't know.
Supporters of all parties believe this roughly in equal measure apart from Sinn Féin voters, among whom 51 per cent accept the view that they are separate, 31 per cent believe they are not and 18 per cent don't know.