FF support plummets to 17% in shock poll

PUBLIC support for Fianna Fáil continues to crumble, leaving the Government with a massive struggle to push through the Lisbon treaty, NAMA and budget cutbacks.

A shock new opinion poll shows Fianna Fáil on just 17%, down three points since the last comparable poll in May, and a massive eight points since the local elections in June.

The poll completed a triple-whammy of blows for Taoiseach Brian Cowen, after figures showed unemployment rising to record levels and Government finances deteriorating further.