Simon Coveney: Opinion poll will 'act as a motivator for Fine Gael people'

“Two weeks earlier the same polling agency had Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael both on 27%, and for the last two years, Fine Gael has been in the high 20s/early 30s in terms of polls, so, of course we’re going to take note of this.”

Tanaiste Simon Coveney appeared to see a silver lining in today’s opinion poll showing Fine Gael lagging 12 percentage points behind Fianna Fáil.

“I think this poll is going to act as a motivator for Fine Gael people and Fine Gael candidates right across the country,” Mr Coveney told reporters on his way into Thomond Park, Limerick, to watch his beloved Munster try to avoid a similar result.