A quarter of FF voters polled would have voted differently if they knew real housing data pre-election
Only after the country went to the polls did the public learn that the number of houses delivered last year was 32,525, significantly less than the 40,000 figure touted by the Government pre-election. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
The housing crisis continues to loom large over Fianna Fáil as voters indicate they would not have voted for the party had the true housebuilding figures been known ahead of the election.
Only after the country went to the polls did the public learn that the number of houses delivered last year was 32,525, significantly less than the 40,000 figure touted by the Government pre-election.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has denied claims from the opposition that there was a conscious effort to mislead the public in an attempt to win votes but a new poll shows that Fianna Fáil voters may not agree.
In the latest Business Post/Red C poll, a quarter of those surveyed who said they voted for Fianna Fáil said they would have voted differently had they been aware of the actual number of houses delivered in 2024.
Housing was identified as a key issue in the general election with politicians sparring over their parties respective plans to tackle the long-running crisis.
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It has also been a source of difficulty for the Government in its first weeks with Mr Martin having to defend Fianna Fáil's past record and plans for the future.
On the heels of the revelation that housing targets had been missed by a significant margin, Mr Martin caused further controversy when he told the that his Government would consider abolishing rent pressure zones (RPZs).
Mr Martin also said he believed "a mistake" was made in relation to vilifying vulture funds in recent years.
The comments appeared to create a rift less than a month into the coalition Government as Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe dismissed suggestions that tax breaks for developers were being considered and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said it was important the Government did not develop housing policy “on the hoof”.
It has not been the smoothest start for the new Government with a number of controversies making the headlines including the ongoing Dáil speaking rights row and the Arts Council's €6.6m spend on an abandoned IT system.
Fianna Fáil appears to be paying the price for the rocky start as its support drops 2% to 20% putting the party level with Fine Gael who remain unchanged. Support for Independents is also down 2% indicating that those who supported the programme for government may be facing some negative reaction as a result.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin emerged as the most popular party with support up 1% taking it to 23%. The Social Democrats is holding strong staying level at 7% ahead of Labour, Aontú, and Independent Ireland who are all at 4% while the Green Party and People Before Profit sit at 3%.
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