In a feat worthy of Houdini, Fianna Fail are once again Ireland’s most popular party. Fianna Fail had suffered a massive drop in popularity after being the major government party during the catastrophic economic meltdown in 2007/2008.
In the last election in 2011 the party vote slumped to its lowest ever, falling from 41 percent to 17 percent.
But now with the Fine Gael/Labour government adopting tough economic policies that are affecting ordinary people Fianna Fail, under new leader Michael Martin, are making a spectacular comeback.
Fianna Fail are at 26 per cent support in the Irish Times poll with Fine Gael dropping six points to 25 percent.
Sinn Fein are on 18 per cent with Labour, the minority government partner, plunging to 10 per cent. Independents of various backgrounds are at 20 percent.
Fianna Fail have doubled their vote since last April and have put aside fears the party was headed for political oblivion.
However, the poll was taken before the government forced through a deal on Anglo Irish bank debt that will allow repayments to the European Central Bank to be spread over a much longer period.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.IrelandNorth | Feb 10, 2013, 02:17 PM EST
Probably yet another example of manufacturing consent. If respondents did actually indicated such they have dangerously short memories. Fíanna Fáil (Fee-anna Foil) were in power for 15 years (3x5 yr terms), during the latter part of which they presided over the destruction of the Irish economy. Ans some ideo[il]logical masochists actually want them back? Sack cloth and ashhes guys, for another 13 yrs at least in the Irish political wilderness to atone.
angrypaddy | Feb 10, 2013, 12:29 AM EST
You deserve horse meat for dinner Hay and oats are to good for ya.!!Donkey's the lot of ya.
gobdawpaddy | Feb 09, 2013, 09:30 AM EST
The results of thos poll raises serious questions regarding the intellect of many of the Irish electorate. It is less than 2 years since they threw Fianna Fail out of office, that party being responsible for the economic catastrophe that occurred on their watch. Of course it is not just the intellect of fianna fail voters. Two weeks ago we were entertained here by stories of the travelling circus known as the Healy-Raes ion Kerry and their proposal for 'drink driver permits'. Of course 18% of Irish voters would cast their ballot for Sinn Fein, despite Mary Lou's distinction between murdering police officers in the republic and those in the north, the latter scenario being OK in her view.
Seanmor | Feb 09, 2013, 08:55 AM EST
the austerity policy has to remain in placeas long as the Irish state continues to be deeply in debt, no matter how unpopular some of the cut-backs may be. Now would be a good time for all parties in that state to encourage tourish among the Diaspora Irish and stop callings "sentimental fools" and "misguided patriots" when we take an interest in the whole Irish nation.