Gerry Adams ‘second most popular leader in Ireland’

Gerry Adams is the second most popular political leader among voters in Ireland, according to a new opinion poll out tonight.

The survey put the popularity rating of the Sinn Fein chief at 56%, running behind only Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

It was the first time the poll had gauged the popularity in the south of Mr Adams, who is MP for the Westminster constituency of West Belfast.

The Market Research Bureau of Ireland figures - the first of their kind for eight months - showed satisfaction with the two-party coalition government of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern had dropped by 10 points to 52%.

But there was also bad news for opposition parties attempting to overhaul Fianna Fail.

The returns put Fianna Fail electoral support at 41%, down 1%, Fine Gael at 21%, down 3%, and Labour at 11%, down 1%.

Sinn Fein, which currently has only one representative in the Dail, increased its support by 3%, to 8%, the Progressive Democrats were at 3%, unchanged, the Greens at 5%, also the same as last time, and others at 11%, up 2%.

The popularity figures for the party leaders were: Mr Ahern 68%, Mr Adams 56%, the Progressive Democrats’ Mary Harney 54%, Labour’s Ruairi Quinn 41%, the Green’s Trevor Sargent 35%, and Fine Gael’s Michael Noonan 31%.

The figures indicated Mr Ahern’s coalition was more likely to retain power at this year’s general election, expected in May, than a rival alliance of parties.

:: Electronic voting is to be used in some constituencies at the election, the Department of the Environment confirmed tonight.