In the Limerick pubs where Michael Noonan takes a pint, the punters were upbeat yesterday about the Fine Gael leadership challenge - as they swallowed the news of the politicians' salary increase.
John Bruton has few friends in the Limerick East constituency. One person said the issue was change. "Your man got 10 years, he is going backwards."
For the party faithful, loyalties have been overshadowed by the prospect of the latest Limerick man to become a party leader since Des O'Malley headed the Progressive Democrats.
Mr Bobby Byrne, who was a Fine Gael city councillor for 25 years, said the party needed a new image. "Unfortunately, that seems to be the case. I consider John Bruton to be a decent, honest man but a lot of people have said he has lost it after 10 years leading the party." Mr Byrne, a publican, was canvassing with Michael Noonan last Saturday. "Quite a few backbenchers rang him and said they wanted a change," he added.
In Souths people were having a drink after work. They said Michael Noonan was a good worker and highly regarded. "He has a sense of humour, he can laugh at himself. Bruton never caught the public imagination. That is his problem. The Celtic Snail seems to have backfired altogether," one said.
The city would benefit from having a party leader who would promote Limerick. Unfulfilled projects include a rail spur to Shannon, improving the docklands area and e-commerce connectivity. For Sean Dalton, Mr Noonan was the one politician he enjoyed listening to. He proposed him and Istabraq as the spring double. "He is a great speaker. I would have to add that I am nonparty."
But barman Ciaran Cusack was unsympathetic to the cause. "They should stop bickering among each other and bring down the house prices."