A new opinion poll shows almost half of all those surveyed believe it will take up to 10 years for the country to work its way out of the economic crisis.
The Red C survey in today's Irish News of the World found 46% of respondents think recovery will take between six and ten years.
The poll of 1,000 adults was carried out on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, more than a week after the Government applied for the IMF/EU rescue fund.
It also asked the public who they believed now had the most power over Ireland's destiny, it found that 41% believe the European Union now has the most power when it comes to running the country, while 36% say it is the International Monetary Fund.
When asked who had the least control, 59% said it was the Irish public.
