Poll finds public favour Mitchell as next FG leader

Mr Jim Mitchell is the public's favourite to succeed Mr Bruton as Fine Gael party leader according to a poll in today's Sunday Independent.

However the poll found Mr Michael Noonan had more support than Mr Mitchell among Fine Gael supporters.

The poll, which was conducted before Cork TD Mr Bernard Allen entered the race, showed Mr Mitchell with 30 per cent support among voters; Mr Noonan with 25 per cent; Mr Enda Kenny with 17 per cent while 11 per cent favoured none of these and 17 per cent were undecided or had no opinion.

However among Fine Gael supporters Mr Noonan had 32 per cent support with Mr Mitchell on 27 per cent and Mr Kenny on 25 per cent.

The poll also found Mr Mitchell was favourite to become the next leader with Labour and Fianna Fáil voters.

The poll found 46 per cent of voters agreed with the 'no confidence' motion which ousted Mr Bruton.

Yesterday Fine Gael chief whip, Mr Charlie Flanagan, announced today he would not enter the party's leadership race.

In a statement aimed at ending speculation that he was to be the fifth candidate, Mr Flanagan said he would back Mr Noonan to be the next leader with Mr Mitchell as his deputy.

Mr Flanagan said: "I believe Michael Noonan would be the best man to lead the party into the next general election."