Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said the results of recent opinion polls show people have been reacting to what he described as a few decisions that were not too bright and not well handled.
Mr Ahern was speaking speaking in Derry after an opinion poll indicated a sharp drop in support for Fianna Fáil.
Mr Ahern said he accepts his responsibilities as leader of the Government. He said he would work harder and put in more focused effort and that his colleagues will have to do the same.
The Taoiseach rejected claims that he was inept and arrogant, saying such suggestions were both unjust and unfair.
The TNS/mrbi opinion poll in today's Irish Times showed was carried out last Monday and Tuesday after the Government U-turn over attempts to tighten restrictions on some provisional licence holders and the announcement of big pay hikes for the Taoiseach and his ministers.
Fianna Fáil support stands at 33%, down nine points on the figure the party reached in the May election. Fine Gael is at 31%, up four, Labour is up five at 15% and Sinn Féin's support is unchanged at 7%.
PDs are at 2% down one, the Greens are unchanged at 5% and Independents and others are also unchanged at 7%.
In satisfaction ratings, 37% feel the Government is doing a good job, down 15 points on the last comparable poll.
Similarly Bertie Ahern's satisfaction rating is 43%, down 15 points, Enda Kenny stands at 42%, down six points, and new Labour leader Eamon Gilmore stands at 30%.
John Gormley of the Greens has a 40% satisfaction rating and Gerry Adams of Sinn Féin stands at 41% down eight.
The Tánaiste, Brian Cowen, has a 49% rating, which is higher than any party leader including his own.
