Nine out of 10 voters are satisfied with the way the President, Mrs McAleese, has done her job, with a majority believing there should not have been a presidential election, according to the latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll.
Some 90 per cent are satisfied with the way she has done her job, just 6 per cent are dissatisfied, and 4 per cent have no opinion.
The poll was taken last Monday and Tuesday among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters through all constituencies in the State. The result is almost identical to the result of a poll taken last February. Then, 88 per cent were satisfied with her performance, 7 per cent were dissatisfied and 5 per cent had no opinion.
In a separate finding, voters strongly support the use of public funding to secure the position of the Abbey Theatre as the State's national theatre. Some 61 per cent say public funding should be used, 25 per cent that it should not, and 14 per cent have no opinion.
The poll was taken immediately after Mrs McAleese was re-elected unopposed as President for a second seven-year term. Some 42 per cent believe a presidential election should have been held, 53 per cent that it should not have been held, and 5 per cent have no opinion.
Satisfaction with the performance of the President is very evenly spread among different age groups, regions and social categories.
Her approval is highest among Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael voters, where 96 per cent are satisfied with her performance. It is lowest among supporters of the Labour Party, Independents and others, where 80 per cent are satisfied. Among PD voters it is at 92 per cent, and Green Party voters, at 89 per cent.
Majorities among supporters of the Labour and Green Party - which respectively had considered running Mr Michael D Higgins and Mr Eamon Ryan - believe a presidential election should have taken place. Sinn Féin voters also favour a presidential election by a small majority.
While Labour's National Executive Council decided by just one vote against running Mr Higgins, 52 per cent of Labour voters believe there should have been a contest, 45 per cent that there should not, and 2 per cent have no opinion.
The Green Party's National Council also decided against running Mr Ryan. However, 56 per cent of party supporters believe there should have been a contest, 37 per cent that there should not, and 7 per cent have no opinion.
Some 43 per cent of Fine Gael voters believe there should have been an election, 53 per cent that there should not, while 4 per cent have no opinion. Among Fianna Fáil voters, just 37 per cent are in favour, 59 per cent are against and 4 per cent have no opinion. Among PD voters, 35 per cent are in favour, 58 per cent are against and 8 per cent have no opinion. Sinn Féin supporters are 53 per cent in favour of an election, and 44 per cent against, while 3 per cent have no opinion.