New poll finds Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin most popular leader in Ireland

What is wrong with the Irish in Ireland?

The surprise that I felt when I read of this poll is similar to that articulated by others here. I haven't lived in Ireland for many years but I maintain an interest in what occurs there as it impacts on family and friends. There are many in my Irish circle who have lost their life savings as a result of the collapse in share prices of Irish banks and a similar deterioration in house values. Some have lost jobs. I recall hearing and reading of the resounding repudiation of fianna fail in february 2011 (yes, not even two years ago), an acknowledgement that it was the government led by that party that were responsible for the catastrophe that has befallen Ireland and it's people. Yet now, just 19 months on, nearly a quarter of Irish voters would cast their ballots for them if an election was held in the morning. What are they thinking? Contrast this scenario with what occurred here two weeks ago when president Obama was re-elected with over 3 million votes to spare in the popular vote and by a margin of 332/206 in the electoral college. The United States is in deep trouble also, but a majority of voters here recognized that president Obama inherited these problems. He inherited two major wars, an economy in crisis and employment on a downward spiral, yet an exit poll on election day showed that voters held George W. Bush responsible 53/38% and decided Barack Obama deserved more time to sort it out. Ireland's current government inherited a terrible mess also in March 2011, yet in November 2012, one quarter of the voters would return to fianna fail? Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen and their cohorts in cabinet had between eight and thirteen years to create Ireland's mess. Are Irish voters so silly that they require instant gratification? I agree with Sid, 'get a grip Ireland'.

I am in my late forties and for the second time I have had to emigrate to find work, firstly when Haughey was in power and this time following the failure of a blind, corrupt and short-sighted Fianna Fail government. This poll has to be laughed at as even in opposition Michael Martin is pathetic. Just shows their grass-roots are tightening their grip on the members again regardless of what right for the country.Get a grip Ireland.

gobdawpaddy, I understand your frustration with the Irish electorate, however I can't say that this is a surprise since it has been going on throughout the history of the Republic/Free State. There is one shining light, the incremental change among the Irish electorate, both in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein has continue to be the fastest growing political party, north and south.

gobdawpaddy: Great comment and full of passion and sense. Sadly for us there is something in the irish psyche that makes them feel that FF are the natural rulers of the country despite all the evidence you skilfully outline. Similarly in the UK; the lower (socialist and Liberal) orders feel like usurpers when they gain power over their 'natural (Tory) masters'! ...possibly the same goes for the USA with the Republicans... who knows?

Far be it for me to criticize the democratic choice of a group of people in another country, but I am having serious doubts regarding the intellectual capacity of a large chunk of the Irish electorate. Just two years after the IMF, ECB & EU were forced to intervene to address Ireland's economic mess, created by successive fianna fail led governments after they, through a combination of gombeenism and incompetence, destroyed the lives of an entire generation, splitting families, leaving many of them with debt they will never be able to repay, support for that party is gradually creeping back?? The present leader of fianna fail, Michael Martin, was a cabinet secretary in those governments and the mismanagement of Ireland occurred with his participation at the cabinet table. He was minister for health when he established the much derided HSE. Current FF frontbench congressmen, such as Willie Odea and Eamon O'Cuiv were also members of the governments that brought about Ireland's demise. Willie got the boot from cabinet for making unfounded allegations about an election candidate and for giving false information to the High Court. Billy Kelliher, Dara Calleary and John McGuinness served as junior ministers (undersecretary's of state) nodding their heads like donkeys in dutiful agreement as disastrous decisions were made affecting the Irish people. Each of these individuals would be expected to be appointed to senior cabinet positions should fianna fail form another government. It appears to me that a good percentage of the Irish electorate have the attention span of goldfish if they are prepared to support a party that has done as much damage to the Irish people and their country, being treated by fianna fail like 'gullible fools' in the process. Then again, that latter reference may unfortunately be the reality of the situation.

Edmundburke, to be fair Brian Cowen has never been associated with the sleaze that permeated fianna fail. I believe he was in out of his depth in cabinet and certainly as taoiseach, but I don't believe he was sleazy.

Weasel is right cillowen, it just goes to show the state of the country when this bollix is considered a Leader, may God help us.

Do those who gave Gerry Adams a 40% satisfaction rating also support full sovereignty for the whole Irish nation and the preservation of what's left of the native culture, including an teanga náisiúnta, an Ghaeilge?

There are how many LEADERS to choose from?

Amazing result. Particularly with Haughey, Ahern, and Cowan, and their ineptitude and thievery all within recent memory. An awesome thing, that FF machine, I guess.

this weasel - will you look at it - bottom of the barrel slimeball. says much for natives who love being had. time after time - pukers.

The delphi technique will give you any result you want.

If this is true whilst Ireland is bleeding young emigrants and its citizens are being forced to pay for the excesses of its banking sector then they are getting the leadership they deserve, if not the leadership they want.