Fine Gael has slipped back to its lowest rating in more than three years, according to the findings of the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi poll, which shows that support for the Government parties has remained remarkably stable over the past three weeks.
Sinn Féin and the Green Party have increased support, while the Labour Party has held on to ground gained in the last poll.
The adjusted figures for party support, compared to the last Irish Timespoll three weeks ago, are: Fianna Fáil, 42 per cent (no change); Fine Gael, 23 per cent (down three points); Labour, 15 per cent (no change); Sinn Féin, 8 per cent (up two points); Green Party, 5 per cent (up one point); PDs, 1 per cent (no change); and Independents/others, 6 per cent (no change).
In terms of satisfaction ratings the poll shows the Government has slipped back two points to 46 per cent and Mr Cowen has dropped five points to 47 per cent.
However, the Taoiseach is still the most popular party leader.
The poll was conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday among a representative sample of 1,000 voters in face-to-face interviews at 100 sampling points in all 43 constituencies.