We must keep focus, says Ahern

The latest opinion poll showing a rise in the Government's support offers encouragement, the Taoiseach said.

The latest opinion poll showing a rise in the Government's support offers encouragement, the Taoiseach said.

On the last full day of the Indian trade mission, Mr Ahern said: "I know we are up, but for 11 years I have given the same answer no matter where I was in the world. I give the same answer here. Opinion polls are a snapshot of a time, but it does give encouragement to people to work and to concentrate. This is not election year. Next year is election year, so I hope we just keep a focus on the policies and what we are doing."

He said the poll showed the Budget had affected voters. "The huge distributional effects of the Budget was to help the less well off and moving the wealth to those who need it. These are all good progressive policies that I think any country would be proud of, " he told The Irish Times.

Mark Hennessy

Mark Hennessy

Mark Hennessy is Ireland and Britain Editor with The Irish Times