McDonald believes support for Sinn Féin higher than what polls show
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the mood is now 'very reminiscent' of the last general election, during which Sinn Féin enjoyed a surge in support. Picture: Gráinne Ní Aodha/PA
Mary Lou McDonald believes support for her party is ahead of the latest polls which put Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil neck and neck.
As the election campaign enters its final days, Fine Gael has recorded a four-point slide and is now on 22% support with both Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil on 20%.
Reacting to the figures, Ms McDonald said: “I feel very, very strongly that the momentum that has grown behind us will continue to accelerate, and I believe that we can deliver that Government of change, and I would hope to lead that Government.
“I think the weather reflects our mood. This might be a winter election, but we have sunshine today.
“I know talking to people, particularly over the last week, this sense of purpose now, this sense of energy has come back very, very strongly."
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She added that the mood is now "very reminiscent" of the last general election, during which Sinn Féin enjoyed a surge in support.
“I think the polling results reflect that to some extent, but I actually think the mood is even ahead of those polling numbers, if I’m honest with you.
"More to the point, people are filled with dread at the prospect of five more years of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.”
Canvassing in Mayo, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the election will be "very competitive" and "very tight".
"These polls were out before the local elections and, if you recall the local elections, Fianna Fáil were a distant third and we ended up in first spot with seats — so it's all to play for really.
"I'm not allowing the polls impact on my thinking, this last week will be very, very important."
The /Ireland Thinks poll shows shows that Independents and others are up three points to 19%, while Aontú is up two points to 5%.
The Social Democrats drop one to 5%, Labour remains unchanged at 4%, the Greens drop one to 3%, and Solidarity-People Before Profit stay at 2%.
The poll leaves it all to play for with just days left of the campaign and a potentially crucial leaders' debate on Tuesday.
Turning to a controversy surrounding Fine Gael, Ms McDonald said the Taoiseach had given people a "glimpse" of what another Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Government would look like in his interaction with a care worker.
Simon Harris has since said there is "no excuse" for his failure to engage with a woman in a Cork supermarket when she challenged him about disability services.
A clip from the campaign trail, which has now amassed millions of views, showed Mr Harris disagreeing with an emotional Charlotte Fallon, who works with St Joseph’s Foundation, when she challenged him on his Government's record.
Asked about the incident, the Sinn Féin leader suggested that after 14 years in Government, Fine Gael has forgotten that the decisions that are taken at the Cabinet table actually have lived consequences out on the ground.
Ms McDonald added: "When you consistently under-fund disability services, when you consistently disrespect people with disabilities and carers, when you consistently under-fund services that communities and people rely on so heavily, there are consequences for that.
"When you go out on the campaign trail, you will meet the lived reality of your policies. And that, to me, is what happened on that occasion."
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