A new opinion poll shows a five-point increase in support for Fianna Fáil since the Taoiseach announced he is to resign.
The Red C poll in today's Sunday Business Post also shows that just 22% of voters think Mr Ahern should not have announced his resignation.
The snap poll was carried out on Thursday, just a week since the last Red C poll for the Sunday Business Post.
500 voters were questioned, just half the normal sample, so the margin of error is higher, but the shift in opinion is still striking.
Fianna Fáil support, at 40%, is up five points since last week, while Fine Gael drop two to 28%, Labour is unchanged at 11%, the Greens gain one to 9%, Sinn Féin drops three to 6%, the PDs are stuck at 1%, and Independents and Others drop two to 5% support.
Asked who would make the better Taoiseach, 63% opt for Brian Cowen compared to 24% per cent who prefer Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny. 13% either do not know or do not like either option.
22% of voters though Mr Ahern should not have resigned, while 31% say they did not want him to go but he had no option after recent revelations. 20% thought it was about time he resigned, and 24% thought he should have gone as soon as the Mahon Tribunal began investigating his affairs.
