Support for the coalition government is falling sharply, according to a poll released today.
Dissatisfaction with the government has plummeted and their overall rating has fallen 12 points, from 43 percent in April to 31 percent today, according to the latest poll. The Irish Times (Ipsos). This is the lowest figure the government has received in two years.
In the wake of the rising cost of living, Fine Gael has bottomed out, dropping four points and becoming the lowest-rated party in the Ipsos series since 1994.
Fianna Fáil has seen a three-point drop, a 20 percent drop since the last poll in April. While Sinn Fein has reached an all-time high, rising 36 percent.
There was also dwindling support for heads of government, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s rank dropping 11 points, demonstrating a 40 percent satisfaction rate.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar was the least popular leader of any of the major parties, and his rating was down 12 points, from 48 percent to 36 percent.
Green Leader Eamon Ryan’s rating has also been lowered from 19 percent to 15 percent.
By contrast, Sinn Féin’s support has continued to grow as they racked up three points, resulting in a 36pc rating.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald is also on the rise, coming in at 43 percent, up one point since the April poll.
Support for Sinn Féin is now over 40 percent among those under the age of 34.
The state of the parties, when the voters were undecided, is as follows: Sinn Féin 36pc; Fianna Fail 20th; Fine Gael 18pcs; Green Party 3pcs; Labor 4th; and independents/others 20pcs.
The rising cost of living seems to mean that people have less chance in government to salvage the situation.
Overall, 60 percent of respondents gave a negative answer to the question whether they think the country is going in the right or wrong direction.
Seven out of ten voters believed Ireland’s economic situation will deteriorate over the next 12 months.
Nearly half of respondents (49 percent) said the rising cost of living has impacted their lives, making it “a lot harder to get by financially, while 41 percent said it has made their lives “a little harder” .
Only 10pc said they have “no problems”.
When the participants were asked if they wanted change, 38 percent wanted “radical change,” 47 percent said they would like to see “moderate change,” and 11 percent said they would “be wary of change.”
The poll, conducted by The Irish Times, included 1,200 adults at 120 measuring points in all constituencies between 10-12 July. The accuracy is estimated at plus or minus 2.8 pc.