Controversy fails to dent Norris’ poll popularity

DAVID NORRIS’ Presidential campaign has received a significant boost in the shape of an opinion poll showing him to be the public’s favourite for the Áras.

The poll indicates that Mr Norris has not been irreparably damaged by the recent controversy surrounding comments he made on a range of sexual and moral issues.

Conducted this week, it shows Mr Norris on 21%, narrowly ahead of Labour candidate Michael D Higgins, who is on 19%.

Next up is Fine Gael MEP Máiréad McGuinness on 10%, followed by her party colleagues Pat Cox on 7%, Avril Doyle on 3% and Gay Mitchell on 2%.

However, Fine Gael will select only one of the four as its candidate to contest the Presidency, with the party due to decide on the issue on July 9.

Once there is only one Fine Gael candidate in the field, his or her support may increase considerably, given the party’s general popularity.

Nonetheless, Mr Norris will take considerable comfort from the fact he is leading the field for now.

A couple of weeks ago, his campaign looked in deep trouble because of the controversy over old remarks he had made defending the classical Greek idea of pederasty and suggesting there should be a principle, rather than an age, of consent.

In an attempt to end the controversy, Mr Norris wrote to supporters making clear he abhorred child abuse in all its forms and had always campaigned for children’s rights.

The poll, conducted by Millward Brown Lansdowne, shows the controversy has not fatally undermined Mr Norris’s campaign.

As well as seeking the people’s preferred candidate for the Presidency, the poll also specifically asked whether the controversy involving Mr Norris had “impacted on your opinion of his Presidential suitability”.

The vast majority — some 63% or roughly three in five respondents — said the controversy had not impacted on their view of the senator.

In addition, another 7% said their view of Mr Norris had actually risen in the wake of it.

By contrast, some 24% of respondents — or roughly one in four — said they held a more negative view of Mr Norris following the controversy.

But while the poll contained more good news than bad for Mr Norris, it is still not certain he will get to contest the Áras.

To contest the Presidential election, a candidate needs to be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas (TDs and/or senators) or at least four city and/or county councils.

Mr Norris has not yet secured that support.

Elsewhere, the poll showed the current incumbent of the Áras to be enjoying record-high approval ratings.

Some 92% of people believe President Mary McAleese is doing a good job, according to the poll.