For the first time since Mr Bertie Ahern became Fianna Fáil leader, his detractors outnumber his supporters, according to poll for The Irish Timestoday.
A total of 50 per cent of respondents to the MRBI poll said they were dissatisfied with Mr Ahern's performance, compared with 44 per cent who expressed satisfaction. Some 6 per cent said they have no opinion.
Moreover, a mere 33 per cent of respondents expressed satisfaction with his Government, compared with 61 per cent who are unhappy with its performance. This dissatisfaction rating is up 5 per cent since the last poll, just under three weeks ago. Six per cent of people had no opinion.
However, the Government's poor support has failed to translate into a push for a No vote in the Nice referendum.
Some 42 per cent said they intend to vote Yes on Saturday, up five points since the last Irish Times/MRBI poll 18 days ago; 29 per cent will vote No, up four points; 19 per cent do not know how they will vote, down 13 points; and 10 per cent say they will not vote, up three points.
Among No voters, three quarters are dissatisfied with the Government's performance, just 18 per cent are satisfied and 7 per cent have no opinion.
The poll was conducted on Monday and Tuesday among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State.