Big parties welcome opinion poll results

THE major political parties all found themselves in the unusual position yesterday of welcoming the findings of the latest opinion poll.

The latest Irish Times/TNS mrbi poll shows satisfaction ratings for the Government, for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and for Tánaiste Mary Harney at their highest levels since the General Election in 2002.

And in a significant boost for Fine Gael, the levels of satisfaction for its leader Enda Kenny has jumped by 13 points to 46%. This compares to a popularity rating of only 28% when he was first elected leader in the autumn of 2002.