Health is set to dominate the next general election campaign, with two thirds of the electorate seeing it as one of the three most important issues, according to the latest Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll.
Some 65 per cent chose health, hospitals and medical services among the three issues that would most influence their vote in the next general election. This put it far ahead of the next most popular choice, crime and law and order, which was selected by 40 per cent.
In a related finding, 74 per cent of voters would be prepared to sacrifice further tax cuts in the next budget for a better health service, while 20 per cent would not and 6 per cent have no opinion.
People were asked to name the three most important issues which would influence the way they would vote, and were not presented with a list from which to choose. After health and crime, honesty/corruption in politics was chosen by 26 per cent, as was education.
Roads/traffic was chosen by 25 per cent; housing by 21 per cent; taxation by 17 per cent; the economy by 15 per cent; Northern Ireland by 8 per cent; quality of life by 8 per cent; quality of candidates by 6 per cent; improved social welfare benefits by 2 per cent; while 1 per cent went for each of environment, unemployment/jobs, the elderly, childcare facilities, refugees/immigration, cost of living/inflation, public transport, car insurance and facilities for young people. Some 5 per cent selected various other issues.
The poll was conducted last Tuesday and Wednesday among a quota sample of 1,000 electors at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State.
The older the voters, the more important health is seen as an issue, the poll shows. It was chosen by 51 per cent of the 18-24 age group; 55 per cent of the 2534s; 66 per cent of the 35-49s; 76 per cent of the 50-64s; and 79 per cent of those aged 65 and older.
The outcome mirrors the patterns of usage of the health services by the different age groups.
Health is also seen as more important among women voters, of whom 70 per cent chose it as one of the three most important issues, while 60 per cent of men did so. Among young voters, who are targeted in particular by the political parties, education and housing were seen as more important than in other age groups.
Education was selected by 41 per cent of the 18-24 group; 25 per cent of those 25-34; 30 per cent of the 35-49 cohort; 17 per cent of those 50-64; and just 15 per cent of those over 65.
Some 26 per cent of the 1824s and 25 per cent of the 2534s chose housing. It was selected by 18 per cent of those 35-49 and 20 per cent of the 5064 group. Just 15 per cent of those 65 and over saw it as among the three most important issues.
Crime was nominated by more rural voters (46 per cent) than urban (35 per cent).
The Tanaiste has ruled out serving in the next Government with Sinn Fein and has suggested it would be impossible for Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein to agree a government programme. She was responding to yesterday's Irish Times/MRBI poll showing 47 per cent would accept Sinn Fein as part of the next government.