Some 46 per cent of the respondents to an IMS opinion poll indicated they do not believe the Taoiseach's denial that he received £50,000 from a Cork businessman in a Dublin hotel car-park in 1989.
The poll in yesterday's Sunday Independent showed 36 per cent accepted Mr Ahern's word, while 18 per cent expressed no opinion.
However, the public would appear to be prepared to wait until the allegation is tested at the Flood tribunal before casting judgment on the Government. The popularity of the Coalition remains high at 57 per cent, while Mr Ahern, at a rating of 67 per cent, is still by far the most popular of the party leaders.
Fianna Fail support is down 4 per cent to 49 per cent, while the PDs are up one point to 3 per cent. Satisfaction with the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, has increased by 2 per cent to 56 per cent since the last poll in February.
Despite the donations and planning scandals, the main opposition parties are still struggling to make a serious impact with the voters. At 21 per cent, Fine Gael is down three points, while Mr John Bruton remains the least popular party leader. His approval rating of 41 per cent is down four points.
The Labour Party's approval rating is unchanged at 13 per cent, although satisfaction with Mr Ruairi Quinn as party leader is down 3 per cent to 50 per cent.
The Green Party would appear to be the main beneficiary of the fallout from the Dunlop revelations. Support for the Greens has increased from three to 6 per cent. Sinn Fein and others are unchanged at 4 per cent each.
In response to a question on accommodating asylum-seekers and refugees, there was a clear rejection of Government policy.
Asked whether they would "approve of accommodation specifically for refugees being located in your neighbourhood", 51 per cent replied they would not approve. Some 37 per cent approved, while 12 per cent did not know.