The Taoiseach's approval rating has fallen below that of his main Opposition rival Enda Kenny for the first time, according to an opinion poll to be published in tomorrow's Irish Times.
The latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi poll shows satisfaction with Bertie Ahern is at 40 per cent, 3 points down on a similar poll conducted last November.
Mr Kenny's approval rating is down 1 point at 41 per cent, putting him ahead of Mr Ahern for the first time since he became Fine Gael leader in 2002.
Satisfaction with the Government, as a whole, has fallen by 2 points to 35 per cent.
The poll shows little change in support for the two main political parties, with Fianna Fáil on 34 per cent (up 1 point) and Fine Gael unchanged at 31 per cent.
Support for the other parties is: Labour 12 per cent (down 3 points), Sinn Fein 8 per cent (up 1 point), PDs 3 per cent (up 1 point), Greens 6 per cent (up 1 point) and Independents 6 per cent (down 1 point).
Tánaiste Brian Cowen recorded the highest approval rating of 52 per cent, up 3 points, while satisfaction with PD leader Mary Harney remains unchanged at 35 per cent.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore's approval rating jumped 6 points to 36 per cent, while the new Green Party leader John Gormley recorded a satisfaction level of 42 per cent, up 2 points.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams recorded a satisfaction level of 48 per cent, up 7 points.
The poll was conducted last Monday and Tuesday among a representative sample of 1,000 voters in interviews at 100 sampling points in all constituencies.