Fianna Fβil support has risen to 43 per cent of the committed vote, its highest position in a number of years, according to an opinion poll published today, writes Alison O'Connor, Political Reporter.
The party, according to the IMS/Irish Independent poll, is now polling at levels only surpassed during the negotiation of the Belfast Agreement and its aftermath. The party has made a four point gain since May according to the poll.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the budget, support has risen sharply for the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, rising from 39 per cent in November to 57 per cent in December, and his dissatisfaction rating is down from 51 per cent to 33 per cent.
The core vote of the parties is: Fianna Fβil 43 per cent; Fine Gael 15 per cent; Labour 9 per cent; Greens 3 per cent; PDs 3 per cent; Sinn FΘin 4 per cent; others 3 per cent. Some 20 per cent said they did not know how they would vote in a general election.
The Irish Marketing Surveys poll was conducted 11 days ago, on December 18th when 1,068 adults were questioned at 100 centres around the State.
The party vote, excluding the undecided, was: Fianna Fβil 54 per cent (up from 51 per cent in September); Fine Gael 19 per cent(down from 22 per cent); Labour 11 per cent(up from 10 per cent); PDs 4 per cent (up from 3 per cent); Greens 4 per cent (same); others 9 per cent (same).According to the poll satisfaction with the Government has dropped by four points to 60 per cent since the last IMS poll in September, and the dissatisfaction rating has gone up six points during the same period to 34 per cent.
Mr Ahern is the most popular leader with a satisfaction rating of 69 per cent. He is followed by the Tβnaiste, Ms Harney, at 58 per cent. The leader of the Labour Party, Mr Quinn, was at 40 per cent, dropping 7 points since September.
While his party has increased its support in this latest IMS poll, the gain will not be seen as sufficient. The poll will be a disappointment for the Fine Gael leader, Mr Noonan, elected in February. His personal satisfaction rating has also dropped from 41 per cent in September to 32 per cent. More than one third of people said they were dissatisfied, while 30 per cent are withholding judgment