The Coalition is showing clear signs of recovery as voter satisfaction ratings for the Government, Taoiseach and Tánaiste increase to their highest levels since before the 2002 general election, writes Mark Brennock, Chief Political Correspondent.
The latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll has also provided a major boost for Mr Enda Kenny, whose personal approval rating has risen to the highest achieved by any Fine Gael leader for five years.
Some 43 per cent of voters are now satisfied with the Government, up nine points since the last Irish Times/TNS mrbi poll in June. The greater number, 49 per cent, remain dissatisfied, down nine points. Some 8 per cent have no opinion, unchanged.
The boosts in the ratings for the Government and its leaders come in the wake of the recent Cabinet reshuffle and the Government's attempts to recast its image as a more caring and responsive administration. Fianna Fáil has gained a modest increase in support and shows a slow upward trend since its record low of September 2003.
The poll was taken last Monday and Tuesday among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters throughout all constituencies in the State.
Satisfaction with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is at 53 per cent, up nine points since June. Some 41 per cent are dissatisfied, down seven points, with six per cent having no opinion, down two points.
The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, has received an eight-point boost in her satisfaction rating to 54 per cent. Some 34 per cent are dissatisfied, down six points, and 12 per cent have no opinion, down two points.
Mr Kenny receives the most substantial boost, with 46 per cent now happy with his performance, a full 13-point rise since June. Some 25 per cent are dissatisfied, down nine points, and 30 per cent have no opinion, down three points.
His substantial improvement follows a renewed focus on him as a possible taoiseach in an alternative Fine Gael-Labour-Green Party government. He has received the highest rating for a Fine Gael leader since Mr John Bruton scored 47 per cent in November 1999.
The state of the parties is: Fianna Fáil 35 per cent, up two points since the last Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll taken in June; Fine Gael 24 per cent, unchanged; Labour 13 per cent, down two; Sinn Féin 12 per cent, up one; Greens 4 per cent, unchanged; Progressive Democrats 3 per cent, down one; Others 10 per cent, up one.
The core support for the parties is: Fianna Fáil 32 per cent, up one point; Fine Gael 18 per cent, unchanged; Labour 9 per cent, down one; Sinn Féin 9 per cent, up one; Green Party 3 per cent, unchanged; Progressive Democrats 3 per cent, unchanged; Others 8 per cent, up one; undecided 19 per cent, down one.
The result of the June local government elections was: Fianna Fáil 31.9 per cent; Fine Gael 27.4 per cent; Labour 11.3 per cent; Sinn Féin 8 per cent; Progressive Democrats 3.8 per cent; Green Party, 3.7 per cent; Others, 13.9 per cent.
Although more voters still disapprove of the Government than approve of it, and Fianna Fáil's rating would still lose it seats in a general election, this poll suggests the Government and party may have begun to regain lost public support.
Voters are evenly divided on whether they would prefer the next government to be a Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition or a Fine Gael-Labour-Green Party one. Some 31 per cent say they would prefer the Fianna Fáil-PD combination, 31 per cent the Fine Gael-Labour-Green one; 23 per cent would prefer neither or a different combination of parties; and 15 per cent had no opinion.
Fine Gael and Labour voters are the most enthusiastic about the alternative combination as outlined by their respective leaders in Mullingar recently. Some 74 per cent of supporters of each party are in favour.
The Green Party voters are least enthusiastic about the FG-Labour-Green combination, with just 48 per cent in favour, 30 per cent wanting a different combination, 7 per cent the present coalition and 15 per cent with no opinion.
Although Labour's vote is down for the fifth consecutive poll, its leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, has seen an increase in his personal satisfaction rating from 44 per cent in June to 49 per cent this week.
Some 25 per cent are dissatisfied with his performance, down one point, and 26 per cent have no opinion, down four points.
Some 35 per cent are happy with the performance of the Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent, an increase of four points. Just 20 per cent are dissatisfied, down four points and 45 per cent have no opinion, unchanged.
In relation to the Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, 51 per cent are satisfied with his performance, up eight points. Some 24 per cent are dissatisfied, down seven points, and 25 per cent have no opinion, down one point.