(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The opposition Fine Gael party holds a considerable lead in Ireland, according to a poll by Red C. 33 per cent of respondents would support Fine Gael in the next general election, up two points since March.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The opposition Fine Gael party holds a considerable lead in Ireland, according to a poll by Red C. 33 per cent of respondents would support Fine Gael in the next general election, up two points since March.
The governing Fianna Fáil is second with 23 per cent—down five points in a month—followed by Labour with 19 per cent, Sinn Fein with eight per cent, and the Green Party with seven per cent.
In May 2007, Irish voters renewed the House of Representatives. Fianna Fáil finished in first place with 41.6 per cent of the vote and 78 lawmakers, followed by Fine Gael with 27.3 per cent and 51 legislators, and Labour with 10.1 per cent and 20 representatives. In June, Bertie Ahern was ratified as prime minister, with the support of Fianna Fáil, six Green lawmakers, two members of the Progressive Democrats and four independents.
In the 1990s, a public inquiry was established to investigate corruption allegations related to the issuing of planning and zoning permits in Ireland. Ahern faced an investigation by the so-called Mahon Tribunal. Ahern’s involvement in the corruption scandal practically paralyzed the legislature in early 2008.
In May 2008, Ahern stepped down and Fianna Fáil lawmakers chose finance minister Brian Cowen to replace him as leader and prime minister. Several fellow party members had called for Ahern—who had served as head of government since June 1997—to resign in order to protect the party from the damages caused by the investigation.
On Apr. 27, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny presented his plan to introduce universal health insurance in Ireland, saying, "Public hospitals will continue to be owned by the state but will be governed and managed by local hospital trusts. (…) The Netherlands spends only slightly more than us on health on a per capita basis, but has minimal waiting lists and is ranked number one in Europe for health."
Polling Data
What party would you support in the next general election?
|
Apr. 2009 |
Mar. 2009 |
Feb. 2009 |
|
|
Fine Gael (FG) |
33% |
31% |
30% |
|
Fianna Fáil (FF) |
23% |
28% |
23% |
|
Labour Party (Lab.) |
19% |
17% |
22% |
|
Sinn Fein (SF) |
8% |
10% |
11% |
|
Green Party (GP) |
7% |
7% |
6% |
Source: Red C
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Irish adults, conducted from Apr. 20 to Apr. 22, 2009. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
