Taoiseach downplays poor poll results ‘justified by all the events of the last month’

THE Taoiseach has downplayed the results of the latest opinion poll, which shows a considerably low level of support for Fianna Fáil.

The 34% support rate for the party — 8% its 2002 general election performance — would result in the loss of several seats.

The 34% result marked a 1% drop since the last Sunday Business Post/Red C poll in May, and was down 4% from April’s result.

However, speaking in Dublin yesterday, Mr Ahern said the latest result was acceptable given the difficult month endured by the Government.

The coalition took heavy criticism in recent weeks over its response to the Supreme Courts decision to strike down the statutory rape law. In addition, news emerged of internal disputes in Fianna Fáil and its coalition partner, the PDs.

Talking of the 34% result, Mr Ahern said: “It’s not where I’d like to be when it comes to a general election, but I think [given] all these events of the last month, it’s probably acceptable enough.”

Mr Ahern said that was not to say he was happy with the result, but that last month and acknowledges that parties support rating was much lower than it was in January, February and March.

“I’m just saying [it’s acceptable] after the events of the last month — we got hit with a Supreme Court decision which certainly wasn’t of our making, but that’s the way these things happen, and that created a lot of difficulties for us.”

Asked if he was looking forward to the Dail’s summer recess, which will run from Thursday evening to the end of September, Mr Ahern replied: “No, I’m looking forward to August. The end of the week makes no difference to me; I’ll be working flat out until the end of July.”

He said the Government will also be working flat out.

The Coalition has to prepare its legislative programme for the autumn, deal with various reports, and try to make progress on Transport 21, the ambitious €34 billion infrastructure plan.

The Government is then to begin working on the budgetary process, preparing the Book of Estimates for its usual November publication.

“The Government, I assure you, won’t be taking too many breaks, apart from their annual holiday,” Mr Ahern said.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach indicated there was some way to go before Independent Fianna Fáil (IFF) TD Niall Blaney would be brought back into the party.

Independent Fianna Fáil was founded by Mr Blaney’s uncle, Neil, following his sacking from Government after the 1971 arms trial.

Fianna Fáil are in talks with Niall Blaney, who represents Donegal North East, to bring him back into the fold ahead of the next election, and boost the party’s chances in the constituency.

Mr Ahern praised Mr Blaney yesterday, saying he had been “one of the best supporters” of the Government. However, he said, “any unification of Independent Fianna Fáil and Fianna Fáil is not just based around what we would think in headquarters but what our organisation down there would think. So I think a fair bit of work has to take place.”

The discussions were ongoing, he said, but not near completion.