Minister admits ‘bad week’ for Government

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte has admitted it’s been “a bad week for the Government” as Labour and Fine Gael brace themselves for a backlash in the local and European elections over controversies surrounding Justice Minister Alan Shatter.

Ahead of a no-confidence motion in Mr Shatter in the Dáil this week, a weekend opinion poll showed the Coalition at its lowest level of support since taking office three years ago.

The Red C poll published in the Sunday Business Post shows Fine Gael at 26% — a drop from three points in the past month, and Labour at 9% — a drop of two points.