Two out of three voters believe the appointment of Ms Mary Harney as Minister for Health was a good one, although a majority believes the recent Cabinet reshuffle will make no difference to the Government's performance.
Some 66 per cent approve of the Tánaiste's appointment, according to an Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll. Just 18 per cent believe she was a bad choice, and 16 per cent have no opinion.
Some 52 per cent believe Mr Brian Cowen was a good choice as Minister for Finance, 16 per cent that he was a bad choice and 32 per cent have no opinion.
Some 29 per cent believe the Cabinet reshuffle will improve the Government's performance, just 5 per cent that it will disimprove it and 57 per cent that it will make no difference. Some 9 per cent have no opinion.
The poll was taken last Monday and Tuesday among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters in all constituencies in the State.
Meanwhile in relation to the US presidential race, Irish voters favour the Democratic candidate, Senator John Kerry, over the Republican incumbent President George Bush by a three-to-one majority. Some 55 per cent say they would prefer Senator Kerry to be elected, 18 per cent would prefer President Bush, 2 per cent the environmental campaigner Mr Ralph Nader and 25 per cent would prefer none of these or have no opinion.
Although most voters think the Cabinet reshuffle will make no difference to the Government's performance, the Taoiseach will take encouragement from the significant number - 29 per cent - who believe it will improve the Government's performance.
The majority of these, however, are supporters of the Government parties.
These supporters are particularly enthusiastic about Ms Harney's appointment to Health. Among Fianna Fáil voters 80 per cent think hers was a good appointment, just 11 per cent that she is a bad choice and 9 per cent have no opinion.
Her own PD voters give her even stronger endorsement, with 92 per cent in favour and 8 per cent against.
Fianna Fáil voters also give strong approval to the appointment of Mr Cowen. Some 72 per cent believe it was a good appointment, 10 per cent a bad appointment and 18 per cent have no opinion.