Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll: Labour insists support to improve

The economic recovery is restoring support for Fine Gael quicker than for Labour, but the junior Coalition partner will still see its fortunes improve, a Labour Minister has said.

Minister for Communications Alex White was speaking after the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll showed Fine Gael increase it support by four points to 28 per cent, while Labour remains on 7 per cent.

Mr White said “you are seeing a quicker recovery perhaps for Fine Gael than you are seeing for us”, adding: “Of course I would like the poll figures to be higher.

‘Obvious point’

“There is a long way to go until the general election. I’m not going to make the obvious point - but maybe I will: the only poll is the one that takes place next February or March.

“When people see the very strong contribution, the very strong and important work that the Labour Party has done in this Government, people will support us.

“It’s important to talk about what the vision is for the country for the next five years. All the parties will be required to do that.”

He said the polls would “tighten up” when alternative “proposals and visions” are put before the country, and predicted the economic policies of the Opposition would not stand up to scrutiny.

“There is a long, long way to go before the election,” he said.