Kenny’s approval ratings soar to 53% as majority dissatisfied with Government
But in a seeming contradiction, personal approval ratings for Enda Kenny have soared.
The poll is the first to be carried out since the controversy over the Government’s decision to close the A&E unit at Roscommon County Hospital.
The findings appear to indicate that the public is differentiating between Mr Kenny’s performance and that of his Government.
While Mr Kenny has so far exceeded expectations as Taoiseach, the coalition has been heavily criticised for abandoning election promises and continuing the economic policies of the previous administration.
The poll shows that 55% of respondents are dissatisfied with the Government, and 37% are satisfied, with the remaining 8% in the “don’t know” category.
It shows approval ratings for Mr Kenny are at 53%, up 16 points since the corresponding poll during the election campaign in February.
Tánaiste and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore’s ratings are also up, by four points to 44%.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin has also enjoyed an increase, up six points to 37%, while Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams is up two points to 31%.
The poll, conducted by Ipsos MRBI for the Irish Times, also surveyed party support.
It showed Fine Gael on 38%, up two points on its election result on February 25.
Labour were down one point to 18%, leaving the party tied in second place with Fianna Fáil, who were up one to the same figure.
Sinn Féin remained unchanged at 10%, while Independents and others were down one point to 16%.
However, all the party changes were within the margin of error of plus or minus three per cent.
The poll was conducted between Friday and Monday last among a representative sample of 1,000 voters aged 18 and over.
