Support for the Taoiseach and the Government has reached a record low points since Mr Ahern first took power in 1997, according to the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll.
Labour has overtaken Fine Gael as the second-largest party, showing a substantial surge in support to 22 per cent, while Fine Gael has fallen to 20 per cent. Fianna Fáil remains on the 32 per cent it held in February, which was its lowest for over a decade.
The poll shows a widespread belief that the Coalition has failed to deliver on last year's election promises in all policy areas. Just 28 per cent of voters are now satisfied with the Government's performance, down three points since February, eight points since September and a massive 33 points since last May, just before the general election. Some 65 per cent are dissatisfied, up three points since February, and 7 per cent have no opinion.
The state of the parties is: Fianna Fáil 32 per cent, unchanged since February; Fine Gael 20 per cent, down 2 points; Labour 22 per cent, up 6 points; Sinn Féin 9 per cent, unchanged; Progressive Democrats 4 per cent, down 2 points; Green Party 4 per cent, down 2 points; Others 9 per cent, unchanged.
Core support for the parties is: Fianna Fáil 29 per cent, unchanged; Fine Gael 14 per cent, down 2; Labour 14 per cent, up 4; Sinn Féin 7 per cent, unchanged; Progressive Democrats 3 per cent, down 1; Green Party 3 per cent, down 1; Others 7 per cent, down 1; Undecided 23 per cent.
Some 52 per cent are now dissatisfied with the performance of the Taoiseach, up 3 points. Only 41 per cent are satisfied, down 2 points, while 7 per cent have no opinion. Mr Ahern's satisfaction rating has now fallen clearly behind that of the Labour Party leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, the Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams and the Tánaiste and PD leader, Ms Harney.
Mr Rabbitte has the highest approval of all political leaders, with 49 per cent satisfied with his performance, up 5 points since February. Just 19 per cent are dissatisfied with his performance, the same as in February, with 32 per cent having no opinion.
Mr Rabbitte and Labour may have benefited somewhat from the fact that this latest poll was conducted last Monday and Tuesday in the immediate wake of the party's annual conference.
The poll was conducted among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State. It was timed to mark tomorrow's first anniversary of the 2002 general election, and shows substantial majorities believe the Coalition has failed to deliver on its election promises in all key areas.
Just 5 per cent believe it is delivering its promises on health, 92 per cent believe it is not, with 3 per cent having no opinion. On the economy, just 16 per cent believe it is delivering its promises, 79 per cent that it is not, with 5 per cent having no opinion. Some 21 per cent believe it is delivering its promises on jobs, 71 per cent that it is not, with 8 per cent having no opinion.
Some 21 per cent believe it is delivering its promises on education, 69 per cent that it is not and 10 per cent with no opinion. On roads and transport, 28 per cent believe it is delivering its promises, 66 per cent that it is not and 6 per cent have no opinion. Finally, on Northern Ireland, 36 per cent believe it is delivering its promises, 51 per cent that it is not and 13 per cent have no opinion.
However, despite the disillusionment with the Government parties, the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, has shown a 3-point fall in his approval rating to just 26 per cent. Some 33 per cent are dissatisfied with his performance, up 5 points, while 41 per cent have no opinion.
The Sinn Féin leader, Mr Gerry Adams, has registered a 4-point increase in his satisfaction rating to 48 per cent. Some 25 per cent are dissatisfied, down 3 points, with 27 per cent having no opinion.
The Progressive Democrat leader, Ms Harney's satisfaction rating is unchanged at 45 per cent. Some 43 per cent are dissatisfied, with 12 per cent having no opinion.
Green Party leader Mr Trevor Sargent sees a substantial 10-point fall since February and a 17-point drop since October in his satisfaction rating to 26 per cent. Some 23 per cent are dissatisfied, up two points, while 51 per cent have no opinion.
Some 66 per cent of voters said health was one of the main issues that would influence their vote if there were a general election tomorrow. Other issues selected by voters were cost of living/inflation, 31 per cent; jobs/unemployment, 26 per cent; the economy, 24 per cent. Some 61 per cent chose one or more of these three economic issues. Education and crime were each selected by 23 per cent and the cost of housing by 21 per cent.
The growth of the cost of car insurance as a political issue was reflected in its selection by 19 per cent of voters as one of the main issues that would influence them. Roads and transport were chosen by 13 per cent, Northern Ireland by 4 per cent, SARS by 3 per cent and neutrality by 2 per cent.
MRBI has changed its brand name to TNS mrbi since the last poll.