Support for Fianna Fáil has dropped in recent months, according to a newspaper poll published today.
The poll shows 32 per cent intend to vote for Fianna Fáil in the local elections, down from 34 per cent last month and 40 per cent in 1999.
Fine Gael and Labour have failed to capitalise, however, with their support the same as a month ago at 22 and 12 per cent respectively.
Sinn Fein are neck and neck with Labour at 12 per cent, with the Greens receiving seven per cent and the PDs five per cent, according to the Sunday Business Post/Red C opinion poll. Others were at 11 per cent.
The poll shows 61 per cent of the electorate would favour a "caring" coalition of Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens over the current Government. Some 32 per cent opposed such a result, while seven per cent had no opinion.
A Fianna Fáil/PD coalition would be acceptable to 55 per cent, the Fianna Fáil/Labour option attracts 41 per cent while a Fianna Fáil/Sinn Fein government is only favoured by 25 per cent.
The same poll also shows almost half (47 per cent) of the Irish public feel US President George W. Bush's visit in June will encourage terrorist attacks on Ireland. However, 40 per cent of people believe the visit should go ahead regardless.
Some 72 per cent believe Ireland's economy relies heavily on good relations with the US, while only 36 per cent agree with continuing to allow US warplanes to refuel at Shannon Airport.
The Green Party said the results of the poll show Mr Bush is a "deeply unpopular" figure for many Irish people.
"Not only do people know that the Iraq invasion and occupation has been counter-productive, they have also seen the Bush administration ignore international treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol," said party chairman Mr John Gormley. "And now we are witnessing American support for Israeli state terrorism, which is leading to chaos in the region. For all of these reasons there will be massive protests against the visit of Mr Bush."