The Government, the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil are showing a modest recovery in support, ending an 18-month period of decline which led them to record low points last year, according to the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll., writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent
Satisfaction with the Coalition still remains lower than at any stage during its 1997-2002 term of office. However, Fine Gael has failed to record any increase in support and Labour has lost some of the gains it recorded last year.
Sinn Féin continues a steady climb in support and now stands at 12 per cent of the national vote, its highest ever in an Irish Times/TNS mrbi poll in the Republic. This compares with 6.5 per cent in the 2002 general election.
Its support in Dublin is now equal to that of Fine Gael and Labour and it is poised to make significant gains in the local elections in June.
Its support is highest among younger voters, urban dwellers, men and the less well off.
Some 38 per cent are satisfied with the performance of the Government, an increase of 11 percentage points since last September. Some 55 per cent remain dissatisfied, down 12 points and 7 per cent have no opinion, up 1 point.
The state of the parties is: Fianna Fáil 33 per cent, up 3 points since September; Fine Gael 21 per cent, down 1; Labour 17 per cent, down 2; Sinn Féin 12 per cent, up 2; Green Party 5 per cent, up 1; Progressive Democrats 3 per cent, down 2; Others 9 per cent, down 1.
Core support for the parties is: Fianna Fáil 29 per cent, up 2; Fine Gael 15 per cent, down 1; Labour 11 per cent, down 1; Sinn Féin 9 per cent, up 2; Green Party 3 per cent, unchanged; Progressive Democrats 2 per cent, down 1; Others 8 per cent, unchanged. Some 22 per cent were undecided, down 2.
The result of the May 2002 general election was: Fianna Fáil, 41.5 per cent; Fine Gael, 22 per cent; Labour, 11 per cent; Sinn Féin, 6.5 per cent; Progressive Democrats, 4 per cent; Green Party, 4 per cent; Others, 11 per cent.
The poll was conducted among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters at 100 sampling points throughout all 42 constituencies in the State last Monday and Tuesday.
There have been increases in voter approval of all party leaders. Some 47 per cent are satisfied with the way Mr Ahern is doing his job as Taoiseach, an increase of 11 points since September. The same number, 47 per cent, are dissatisfied with his performance, a decrease of 11 points, while 6 per cent have no opinion.
While the Progressive Democrats show a decline in support from 5 to 3 per cent, satisfaction with the way the party leader, Ms Harney, is doing her job as Tánaiste has increased by 4 points to 45 per cent, with 43 per cent dissatisfied, down 5 and 12 per cent having no opinion.
Fine Gael's failure to show any improvement is accompanied by a modest increase of 2 per cent in satisfaction with the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, to 31 per cent.
A greater number - 37 per cent - remains dissatisfied and 32 per cent have no opinion.
The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, retains a relatively high approval rating with 48 per cent satisfied with his performance, an increase of 5 per cent, dissatisfaction down 2 points at 25 per cent and 27 per cent with no opinion, down 3 points.
With Sinn Féin making gains, its president, Mr Gerry Adams, also remains the party leader with the highest public approval.
Some 51 per cent are satisfied with his performance, up 8; 24 per cent are dissatisfied, down 6; and 25 per cent have no opinion, down 2.
The party will be further encouraged by the finding that it is attracting a level of support in Dublin similar to that of Fine Gael and Labour.
Finally, 35 per cent are satisfied with the way the Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent, is doing his job, up 5 points; 21 per cent are dissatisfied, down 2; and 44 per cent have no opinion, down 3.