Satisfaction with Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney is extremely high among farmers, despite support for Fine Gael falling substantially since the last general election.

Virtually every farmer in the country feels there are too many politicians in Ireland and that they are overpaid and ineffective in their job as legislators.

Fewer than four in 10 farmers would vote for Fine Gael if an election was held tomorrow, as rural voters remain undecided on the main government party.

Social issues such as unemployment, austerity, emigration, and crime are increasingly to the fore as key issues influencing the farming vote.