A spokeswoman for the Taoiseach has said an opinion poll in today's Irish Times showing a fall in satisfaction with the Government is disappointing for the Government and for Fianna Fáil.
According to the survey, Fine Gael has gained support and, along with Labour, has now opened a nine-point lead over the current coalition.
1,000 voters in every part of the country were interviewed by TNS/MRBI on Monday and Tuesday for the survey, which is the first such poll since January.
That poll had found that both Fianna Fáil and the PDs and Fine Gael and Labour had 40% support.
Today's poll shows the following support for the main parties: Fianna Fáil - down six points to 31%; Fine Gael is up four to 28%; Labour is down one at 15%; Sinn Féin at 9% is unchanged, as are the PDs at 3%; the Greens are up one at 5% and Independents and others are also up one at 9%.
However, the key figures are support for the alternative coalitions.
Satisfaction with the Government is down six to 40%, while Bertie Ahern's satisfaction rating is down four to 52% and Mary Harney's is down five at 34%.
However, Enda Kenny's satisfaction is unchanged at 40%, while Pat Rabbitte is down seven at 41%.
Gerry Adams is down one at 39% and Trevor Sargent is up three at 35%.
