Fine Gael and Labour said today they were not disheartened by the latest Irish Times/Tns-mrbi showing increased support for Fianna Fáil and that the mood for a change of government will be reflected at the polling booths.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, highlighting a vote transfer pact with Labour, said: "His party had experienced a similar jump in a poll published a month ago. The real poll is on Thursday. We are going to fight this right to the end of the poll."
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said the current Government was "tired, incompetent and ineffective" and the election was a long way from over.
The poll showed Fianna Fáil at the same level it won the 2002 election, and also indicated the public believe Taoiseach Bertie Ahern clearly won last Thursday's television debate with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
Fine Gael dropped just one point in today's poll, while Fianna Fáil gained five percentage points, with Labour down three points.
Fianna Fáil deputy leader Brian Cowen said the poll showed a realisation that his party in its plans and personnel provides the best prospects for the future of the country.
Mr Cowen said Fianna Fáil supporters should transfer their votes to the Progressive Democrats on Thursday.
He sasid it would be a "good idea" to re-elect the Government. "They [the PDs] are regarded as our first preference," Mr Cowen said.
He also said that since the policy issues had begun to receive an airing, people had growingly come to the view that Fianna Fáil had managed the affairs of the country well with the PDs.
Both Mr Cowen and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin again ruled out any deal with Sinn Féin, saying there were "huge incompatibilities" with Fianna Fáil on policy issues.
Mr Rabbitte, meanwhile, insisted he would not go into government with Fianna Fáil even to prevent Sinn Féin from entering a coalition.
The poll published today was carried out last Friday and Saturday. It marks a major resurgence for Fianna Fáil and puts them close to a figure that could see them returned to Government - an unlikely possibility in the early stages of the campaign.
But the Progressive Democrats were stuck at 2 per cent in the poll - which would lead to significant seat losses. This would mean there would be little chance of the current coalition returning to power.
The findings would put the Green Party in a strong position to decide the make-up of the next government. It gained a point to 6 per cent in the poll.
Sinn Féin is also on target for seat gains despite a point slip to 9 per cent. But all the main parties have tuled out allowing that party into government.
While the Fine Gael and Labour option has lost significant momentum and is now six points behind the current coalition, the Greens with a handful of independents could push either of the main options over the finishing line.
The adjusted figures for party support are: Fianna Fáil 41 per cent (up five points); Fine Gael 27 per cent (down one point); Labour 10 per cent (down three points); Sinn Féin 9 per cent (down one point); Greens 6 per cent (up one point); PDs 2 per cent (no change); and Independents/others 5 per cent (down one point).
Some 32 per cent of respondents to the poll conducted in all 43 constituencies felt the Taoiseach was the winner of last week's head-to-head television debate with the Fine Gael leader, compared to just 13 per cent for Mr Kenny, with 14 per cent believing it a draw.
There poll also showed a potentially significant change in opinion on who would win the election, with a five-point swing to the FF-PD coalition, putting it four points ahead of the alternative.
Polls in Sunday newspapers also showed a comeback for Fianna Fáil though it was less pronounced than today's findings. The polls for the Sunday Independentand the Sunday Business Postwere both conducted before the leaders' debate but after Mr Ahern's statement on the controversy about his house purchase.