FF stung by voters' 'Rip off' backlash

FIANNA Fáil was last night left reeling from a "Rip off Republic" backlash which could see it drop 20 seats at the next election.

Three out of four voters directly blame the Government for Ireland's "artificially" high cost of living, according to a new poll which makes grim reading for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

The snapshot survey shows Fianna Fáil flat-lining with just 32% support - ten points down on its 2002 General Election tally.