An opinion poll carried out for the Sunday Independent shows a sharp increase in satisfaction with the Government's performance and that of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
The Millward Brown IMS poll was taken last Wednesday and Thursday, before the Government published its spending plans against the background of the controversial resignation of the management of Aer Lingus.
Compared with a poll last March, the numbers saying they are satisfied with Bertie Ahern's performance as Taoiseach are up 12 points at 55%, with the figures for Tánaiste Mary Harney up ten to 55%.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny improves by 13 points to 45%, while Labour's Pat Rabbitte is up seven to 53%.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent's satisfaction rating is down one to 41%, while Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams is up one point to 51%.
Overall, satisfaction with the Coalition is up ten to 45% over the last eight months.
Party ratings show smaller changes. Those saying they will vote for Fianna Fáil are up two at 37%; Fine Gael is up two to 23%; Labour is up one at 13%; the PDs are up one at 4%; the Greens are down two to 5% and Sinn Féin is unchanged.
These figures show that Fianna Fáil is bouncing back from its record low of 32% in the local elections.
