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A NEW POLL shows that support for Sinn Féin is up, with the party at its highest level of support in over a year.
That’s according to the latest Sunday Business Post/Red poll, which shows that Sinn Féin’s support is up 5 points to 19%. Meanwhile, AAA-PBP’s support is up two points to 6%.
Last week, a poll published in the Sunday Independent showed that Fine Gael’s support had dipped by four points since October.
According to this latest poll, Fianna Fáil is now down one point to 26%, while Fine Gael is still at 24%. Fianna Fáil remains the party with the greatest support in the country.
Labour is down one point, to 4%, the Independent Alliance stays at 3%, the Soc Dems are down one point to 3%, and the Green Party (4%) and Renua (1%) also have seen no change.
Fine Gael has been at the centre of weeks of speculation about the future of its leader and Taoiseach Enda Kenny recently – resulting in a crunch meeting last Wednesday. After facing pressure to go in the wake of his handling of the Garda whistleblower revelations, Kenny told parliamentary party members that he will deal with the issue of his leadership after he returns from his St Patrick’s Day visit to the USA.
The meeting led to a sense of relative calm after weeks of speculation. But that doesn’t mean that everything’s A-OK in Leinster House.
Earlier today, Fianna Fáil’s Robert Troy told Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1 that “there is a sense of dis-functionality, instability and incoherence at the very heart of government”. Meanwhile, AAA-PBP TD for Dublin South Central, Brid Smith, said on the same show that the leadership contest “has been an absolute distraction from very serious issues”.
The Red C poll of around 1,000 adult took place between Monday and Thursday of last week.
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“Fianna Fail is the party with the highest support in the Country”. That says alot about our Country.
People are getting the government’s they deserve.
I wonder if Adams and other direct IRA hangers on left the party, would it be enough for SF to become a bigger vote getter?
I wonder would they need to change the party name?
Or get stephen Donnelly to be their new leader?
(Only 1 of these 3 suggestions are a joke btw :))
@clad: Yeah, I’ve been hearing about how Adams is holding SF back since they had a single TD in the Dail.
They now have 23.
@ for Connolly: grand so, they’re sorted.
@clad: Do you have reason to believe that they will not further increase their Dail representation in the next election?
@For Connolly: Please try to remember that you are not a Shinner supporter!
@Bull Spite: I support most of their policies, but am not a member and do not work for SF. Where I differ on their policies I’m quite public about it.
So, gauge from that how much of a ‘supporter’ I am.
@clad: “grand so, they’re sorted.”
It appears that you missed the point of your own post.
I’m amazed Renua have even 1%..
The establishment media relentlessly promoted Renua to try and build a coalition partner for the 2 big capitalist parties FF and FG. They failed which is why FF and FG are now in a de facto coaltion for the first time since the foundation of the state. The establishment is slowly losing its grip in Ireland and globally.
The poll has a margin of error of + or -3% so Renua may in fact have -2% support
More than they deserve :)
@dusty. Normally I disagree with you but you are spot on about Renua. Who would vote for these people. FF/FG coalition still has 50% support. A shame voters are so conservative in this country.
@prop joe: I dont think Irish voters are conservative,Just thick.
@prop joe: The actual votes cast for FF/FG combined has been dropping steadily since 1983. The last election seen their percentage of combined votes cast at 43%.
Nothing like what the polls try to tell us.
I will never forget what ff fg greens and liebour have done to this country they have it absolutely broken.they treat the working man with contempt I dont know how anybody could vote for them they sold us out to appease the banksters.traitors and I demand accountability and jail fr the people that wrecked this state.
@Bobby Phelan: Really articulate posting!
@Bull Spite: The truth though well said Bobby.
@Derek Poutch: thanks derek
@dave. So True. Would love to see the regional break down. In dublin how seats will the treaty parties get? One per constituency? As the country becomes more urbanised there influence is decreasing.
Not true Dusty, fg propped up ff in the late 80′s
Story here should be why FF are the most popular party in the country even for what they did to this country not to long ago.
@Eoin Mulhern: The story here should be how really incompetent Fine Gael are in government. Every time is the same.
After the disaster of the last Fianna Fail Government – the worst in our history – Fine Gael was given an unprecedented level of confidence by the people. They should have been unassailable for at least twenty years following the decimation of the country by FF.
But… but, they threw away all the gains made by introducing their usual
“Blueshirt” policies. They can’t help it. And I would very much doubt if they ever get another chance.
Political Lemmings…
@Eoin. For what they are presently doing to the country as coalition partners to FG.
Fianna Fail are chancers. Smitten with power. They will sell their souls to satisfy their lust. They are not alone.
The Irish political parties are not holistic depictions of a political stance whether successful or not, unlucky in times of recession, or even leaning towards right wing or left wing. The parties are about the people in these parties. We should remember Bertie as a failure and not FF. It’s absolutely down to the person. The same parties exist. It’s the people behind the parties. A few strong personas in SF and they might have their coup de tat. Obviously they would lean to the right then to make the country work. You do all realize that???
Oh dear !!!, The ffglab hacks & shills will be on overtime tonight. I predict the usual (and maybe few new ) accounts going full pelt (after the rugger of course)
@Michael Clinton: “after the rugger of course”
LOL!
‘Totes’
FC…much broader worldwide game, unlike GAA who messed up again today. Super 8 might make money initially – at the expense of small clubs.
They were on within one minute of the article being posted! I wonder how they managed that?
I wouldn’t called ruggers a worldwide game. It’s more of a commonwealth game with the inclusion of the French and the Argentinians. About 8 teams take it seriously. It’s also structured in a way that only private school students (for the most part) will prosper in the sport. Many of those watching the game don’t even understand the rules. A band wagon sport really.
The super 8 controversy is a reflection on Irish society as a whole. It should come as no surprise that any organisation in this country is prepared to shaft its own members and volunteers for the sake of personal monetary gain. We see it in the FAI, OCI, various charities and political parties. It’s unfortunately part of our culture.
God forbid people might actually support their country regardless of the sport being played. What a shower of moaners.
Bejesus Alanine I actually agree with you on this.The Grab All Association back in full swing.
No rules in rugby!!!
Only laws old sport !!!
Watched prime time the other night. Byrne F/F Doherty s/F . Doherty out spoke him by a mile.
@John Scott: when was this aired?? be interested in watching it
Very good, a change greater than the margin of error. Something worth reporting in relation to these polls.
The only poll that really matters, however, is the polling booth. It will be interesting to see how SF perform in next months election in the 6 counties. It would be nice to see PBP increase their representation there as well, if possible.
@For Connolly: PBP are hard left socialist party and not Nationalist party so wont be getting my vote on the 2 march..
@For Connolly:
I agree the NI is a big test for SF, but if PBP are to increase their numbers in that election, the most likely party to lose seats will be SF.
@P.J. Nolan: Nationalist population in the 6 county state have had choice in the past with hard left socialists parties (republican clubs )Workers party ) and now PBP whats the difference Nationalist population across the North is crying out for is new very strong green Nationalist centrist party to unite the middle class / working class / rural / urban populations
Correct me if I am wrong but did pbp/aaa vote with the government lately to oppose a motion seeking special status for the North during the Brexit negotiations?
Bobby, How will another sectarian party resolve the problems in the North?
@Dusty Mooney: so what choice do the Nationalist population across the 6 county state have to choose Unionist/ soft left /hard left socialist parties all anti Nationalist in their nature…
Nationalism hasn’t worked out too well for most of the people in the independent “Republic” of the bondholders, vulture funds and corporate tax dodgers.
PBP are a bunch of protesters with little idea of how to manage an economy. Will never get my vote. Only those with constructive policies and solutions. I’m finding it very hard to find any with those. Soc Dems perhaps.
Manage the economy? Do you remember the entire right wing political establishment of FF, FG and Labour handing € 100 + billion to the delinquent and corrupt banks and breaking the economy entirely?
Good whataboutery there Dusty. Just because the established parties ran the economy into the ground doesn’t mean that PBP know how to run an economy. That’s a bit like saying my previous bin collectors were useless and threw rubbish around my garden. These Luas drivers would do a great job at collecting bins.
The left parties bitterly opposed the catastrophic bank bailout so they clearly do know more about running an economy than the establishment right.
Eh Dusty, didn’t SF support the bailout and Labour opposed it? Also, opposing one decision does not make you fit to run a country. Standard fare from PBP. Oppose, oppose, oppose, protest, protest, protest, outrage, outrage, outrage, and repeat.
@Thomas McGilly: “didn’t SF support the bailout and Labour opposed it?”
Nope. SF voted against the final legislation as presented on 17 October 2008. Its on Dail record.
Yup. Opposed the final legislation when people got antsy about it. Supported the blanket guarantee proposed by FF the night it was proposed.
Thomas, But you agree that making the decision to bail out the delinquent and corrupt banks with the people’s money makes a party unfit to run the country?
Also Thomas, ,,You’re not under the illusion that Labour are a Left party surely?
Dusty, I don’t think anyone in their right mindcwould agree that the blanket guarantee and subsequent bailout was a good idea. It still doesn’t mean that PBP are a viable alternative. Further, nobody is under the illusion of Labour being a left party. On that much, at least we can agree.
@Thomas McGilly: “Supported the blanket guarantee proposed by FF the night it was proposed.”
And withdrew that support when they saw the final legislation. Quite normal.
Let’s have some imagination for a change a put the Shinners in charge and sort this place out!
SF/IRA – no WAY
Gerry Adams and Sinn Feins Marxist terror plans won’t go down well with decent Irish people.
Hey guys, Arlene Foster called, she wants her script back.
Sinn Fein are not Marxists. They fundamentally accept the logic of capitalism which Marxists don’t.
@Alanine. The Martin/Kenny coalition is just a dream. Remember Dev shot Michael Collins in the back. Then spilled away to steal US funds raised for the state and turn it into his own newspaper. FF/FG better?
@Dusty Mooney: overwhelmingly majority of the working class Nationalist population in the 6 county state suscribe themselves to a Irish Nationalist culture first and foremost and not a socialist idoleolgy culture or a unionist culture for that matter. ..
@Dusty Mooney: vast majority of the Irish people North and South both unionist and Nationalist vote for pro capitalist parties its called democracy something hard core socialists find hard to believe
they always poll so well in marketing surveys.
Pity about actual elections.
@alphanautica: You’re correct that they do have trouble translating their support into votes, but thats true for most partys whose core support is with the under 50s. They are still, however, moving in the right direction. Last election they increased their seat count by 60%
FC – everyone knows that the Gorry redundancy would help SF. And we all know he was never even a member of the IRA, unlike his best mate Martin who was actually forced to admit it, years ago…
I’m not the one cowering behind a cowardly pseudonym alanine and quite frankly I couldn’t care who has my number/address because thicks like you are all mouth & trousers and would be scared shitless to confront . Now little thick,run along back to mummy.
But mickey – it was you who said you’d post my IP address! Do you want me to post yours?
You work away there,Told you before that I have nothing to hide . It’s you that are the coward hiding behind the pseudonym . I actually find people like you kinda sad & lonely but as I have said before, you work away but just remember that you posted details first and the rest is on your shoulders.
Bobby, Nationalism in itself is no solution to anything. We’ve had an Independent Republic for almost a century and it’s been a miserable failure for the majority with mass unemployment, mass emigration and poverty for the majority. Our enemy is the current socioeconomic system and it’s ruling elites.
Ok Mick…addy is out there/but not here….enjoy….
Yeah,yeah,yeah… whatever tool,whatever. Must be near you’re bedtime now fantasist.
@Dusty Mooney: unionism and hard left socialism have one thing in common both are Anti Irish Nationalist… North belfast Nationalist and proud and make No apology for it..
No apologies and no solutions Bobby. Your greatest enemies sing the same anthems as you and the same is true of the Protestant working class.
For Connolly your sums are your economics
Interesting to see if FF have enough arses to cover seats in the next election or if they’ll need SF. Or go cap in hand to FG.
SF gaining?
It must be time for the Indo’ to again run near daily front page attacks on them yet again?
The political reality reflects the huge divisions in Irish Society the rich v the upstarts,the vulnerable v the poor. Every where you go people are furious and embittered. Dublin is booming and the rest of the country is surviving but not progressing.
A Goverment proped up by the desire to avoid an election at any cost does not bode well for democracy.
The media fight about whether we should have a picture if Leo’s boyfriend published .
Just shows how Trump speaks the truth on this one . The Irish media are part of a conspiracy against any political movement which would upset their love in with the D4 political Classes to be changed.
When any Irish political correspondent opens their mouth you know what they are going to say.
Give us an election and we will give you your answer on current problems a goverment in crisis
Shinner types won’t be getting too excited though as they are constantly telling us the polls are fake anyway.
Great news! Any chance we can have a real poll and have an election now? I want to reward all the Government Party’s FG, FF, IA, Lab, Greens for all their sterling work on behalf of their people! #GE2017
The diaspora views the two major parties as a failure (fiddle dee & fiddle dumb) and Labour as a misguided/compromised party, so, by default, support for Sinn Fein is on the rise.
Since the War for Independence , Sinn Fein has (I was going to say, stuck by its guns) stuck by its vision of a united Ireland while others have “bargained and sold”
So why not give Sinn Fein a go? The can’t be any worse than the current lot or, God forbid, Fianna Fail.
MM
Of course they can. They always have been in Northern Ireland where they are unable to govern and where the constituency s they represent are the poorest in the UK. And even that ignores the murderers and child rapists among there number.
@bp: isee you have no understanding at all how it works in the north.
So who do we blame for all the suicides that austerity has bought to families. And tell me once again about the legislation that was introduced by FF and backed by FG that it was illegal to name and shame paedophile priests.
I think SF and FF would make a better government than what we have.
No to left wing parties
@Eamon: Yes, because 90 years of right wing gombeens and their cronys have done such a a tip top job, haven’t they?
AAA-PBP/Sinn fein wouldn’t know what to do in Government. They can complain about everything but have no valid answers
Who do you vote for yourself Eamon?
@ ForConnolly: spot on!
@Eamon: Yeah I cant believe that ‘publicity before people’ (PBP-AAA) bunch are on 6% – who on earth votes for those idiots?
Does anyone watching these polls of late notice one month fg are up then ff and now sf…it’s just the propaganda people playing with the ordinary Joe soaps minds ….and as usual they fall for them .
I bet Dusty will believe this poll as they’re up 2 points.
Provisional SF support in polls is always higher than any actual election
@Stephen Kearon: Is that what happened to yourself when you ran for election in Wicklow Stephen??
electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=1999T&cons=639
@For Connolly: LOL
At leadt he is brave enough to use his name and picture unlike for connolly
For Connolly, As much as I disagree with some of the contributions from Stephen, at least he had the courage of his convictions to get out from behind his keyboard and attempt to achieve something.
“Thatcher deserves our gratitude for ensuring Provo thugs and criminals who didn’t like prison food deservedly died painfully.”
Stephen Kearon, 8th April 2013
@Guybrush Threepwood: Agree SK is an excrescence…but not sure if I “liked” your post whether I’d be supporting his pro-imperialist hate or not!
“Stupid ignorant greedy people get stupid ignorant greedy politician’s, garbage in, garbage out”- George Carlin on voting
@Buaman: very true. A society is reflected in the governments it elects.
The Shinners getting the right exposure at the right time. Their book on Economics is right up there for the Pulitzer prize this year. With contributions from the hysterical twins Daly and Coppinger, it’ll the best fantasy novel since George R R Martin released something about Ice and Fire.
SF/FF…the fox and the weasel in charge of the chicken coop.
In the last election cycle we seen SF as the second largest party. They always lose support during an election campaign when there policies, or lack thereof, come under scrutiny..
Finna fail have ruined this country .has everybody in the country forgotten they nearly bankrupted the state. We have changed lol still the party of corruption and brown envelopes. As u can see I wouldn’t trust finna faill or finna Gail.
Recognition despite partisan opinion in the south of the mature dealings with the RHI fallout in the north and the McCabe farce in the south, by the general public.
Be very careful what u wish for.
I don’t trust SF on immigration.
@Rosa Parks: you have an image of Rosa parks and you’re concerned about immigration? wow
I guess the Maria Cahill Roadshow, the dredging of bogs for bodies etc will now start all over again….zzzzzzz….
Sad day for Ireland if we the voters vote in SFto government. Just look at there past history and cover ups.
@Ignatius keane: yeah SF not as good at cover ups as FF FG
have your say