FF support up sharply despite payments controversy

13/10/2006 - 07:31:20
Fianna Fáil has enjoyed a significant jump in support in recent months despite the controversy surrounding payments to the Taoiseach in the 1990s.

A new Irish Times/TNS mrbi poll out this morning shows that the party has gained eight percentage points since the last survey in May and now has the support of 39% of voters.

Two-thirds of respondents said Bertie Ahern was wrong to accept gifts and loans from businessmen in 1993 and 1994, but despite this, the Taoiseach's popularity has also improved marginally.

The opposition parties, on the other hand, have seen their support fall despite the payments controversy.

Fine Gael is down two points to 26% and Labour are down four points to 11%, but the Greens are up one point to 6%.